Solve the Right Problem
A phrase I find myself saying often to clients is:
"Let's make sure we're solving the right problem."
I've had the privilege of working with leaders across higher education, nonprofit, and public sector organizations, and while every team and organization is unique, I've noticed a pattern that keeps showing up.
Many leaders describe their challenges as communication issues.
Others point to culture problems, low morale, lack of accountability, or resistance to change.
But as we dig deeper, something interesting often happens. What they thought was the problem isn't always the problem.
A communication issue turns out to be a leadership alignment issue.
A lack of accountability issue turns out to be a role clarity issue.
And in many cases, what show up as interpersonal issues is actually frustration with an unclear or broken process.
Sounds familiar?
As leaders, we are often expected to solve problems quickly, but effective leaders know that speed without diagnosis can lead to implementing bandaid solutions that may provide some short-term gains, but not long-term, sustainable results.
That's why my first step is to diagnose.
Before recommending solutions, it's important to spend time listening, gathering perspectives, and identifying patterns.
Push yourself to understand what's happening beneath the surface by asking questions like:
What are the chief complaints that leaders and team members are expressing?
Which challenges are symptoms and which get at the root cause of issues?
What is being shared and what's left unspoken? Because sometimes you have to read between the lines...
Who are the dominant voices, and who are the quiet influencers?
The Solution Depends on the Diagnosis
A communication training won't solve a leadership alignment issue.
A team-building activity won't fix broken processes.
And a new initiative won't address a lack of accountability.
When leaders prioritize accurate diagnosis of what's really happening, conversations become more productive, interventions become more targeted, and results become more sustainable.
What challenge are you currently facing that might benefit from a deeper diagnosis?
The Return on the Right Diagnosis
When leaders prioritize accurately diagnosing what's really happening beneath the surface, conversations become more productive, interventions become highly targeted, and the results are actually sustainable.
Are you ready to solve the right problem?
If your team is facing a challenge that feels stuck on repeat, you don't have to navigate it alone. Let’s partner together to diagnose the root cause, align your people, and build a practical path forward.
P.S. Know a fellow leader navigating complex team dynamics? Share this post with them to help spark a better conversation!