Can problems actually be helpful?
In my mastermind group, Dan Miller, author and creator of the 48 Days to Work You Love, presented this question as a response to use when anyone runs into a problem we didn’t expect. He said, “What does this make possible?” Initially, I tend to think problems are bad when it comes to leadership scenarios, but have you ever considered that problems might actually be useful? Dan’s question, “What does this make possible?” helped me see problems in a different light.
Leadership expert John Maxwell taught me 3 things when looking at difficulties. Problems introduce us to ourselves. No one enjoys dealing with a problem, but these times can prove to be full of great personal growth. You don’t know what you can and can’t handle until you come up against it. Don’t see these times as terrible things you should dread, but see them as growth opportunities that can serve as stepping stones to where you want to be.
Jim Rohn said when coming to difficult times, “Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom. The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become. Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.” This has aided me in rethinking my philosophy on problems, which I, instead, like to call challenges.
John Maxwell’s second insight was that problems introduce us to others. When I’m seeking answers, I go out to find solutions and people who can help me create those solutions. As a problem solver, your first response is to fix it yourself, but consider input from others. The frontline team members may have great insight into a lasting solution. Input may be a wise friend, a spouse or a colleague. Don’t underestimate the insights of those leaders you interact with daily.
Lastly, Maxwell says that problems introduce us to opportunities. It can be fun to see what new doors open. Looking for smarter ways to get work tasks completed, tracked and invoiced forced me to look at better software solutions. Also, dealing with drama on our crew introduced me to opportunities to share how to focus on personal growth with all our staff, not just our leaders. Both of these gave me new opportunities to grow and get better.
Recently, I was challenged to upgrade the customer service in a key outlet. Since the customer was not sure what he wanted in the upgrade, he asked me to give him a few ideas to implement. As I was around various leaders who had no working experience in this field over the next 4 weeks, I presented the customer service challenge to 5 different people. Each of these leaders provided me with at least one solid, fresh idea. Later, I was able to present these ideas to my customer, who was taken aback by the creativity of the solutions.
Don’t limit your challenges to just something for you to fix, and don’t just limit these to yourself. Explore the opportunities and ask, “What does this challenge make possible?”
