Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

I watched some of the (former FBI director) Comey testimony Thursday. Several times I thought to myself, I considered my problems to be significant…until I listened to some of his testimony.

I’m not what most would describe as “political”. Comey stated he and the bureau work hard at staying unbiased toward either party but that doesn’t mean he isn’t political. Quite the contrary. He’s a player.

Problem description that I dug up in my archives:
•An undesirable state of existence
•Based on fact
•That can be changed
•Within reason

Leaders find themselves facing problems every day and most days, more than just one. However, most decision makers have a strong tendency to jump to solutions rather than properly defining the problem.

It’s difficult to solve a problem with the best possible outcome if you don’t define what you are trying to correct. On the other hand, clearly defining what the undesirable state of existence is sets you up to generate one or more solutions and maybe even pull in some colleagues to bounce ideas off of.

Instead of ready, fire, aim…take the time to frame up the problem at hand, devise at least three options, include people closer to the stated problem and enlist their help, empower them to integrate the solution and delegate authority to solve future problems where they tell you about it, when and only when they think you need to know.

Problems exist everywhere. How you describe them and who you enlist to help you with them will make all the difference in your world.

Have a blessed weekend!