Edition #26

Will You Lead Through Complexity?

Problems are everywhere — big, small, expected, and unexpected:
• A key project hits a roadblock
• Your team can’t agree on priorities
• Your kids are starting to answer back
• External pressures shift daily
• No one at home likes the same food for dinner
• Resources are tight and timelines short

As a leader, your job isn’t to magically remove obstacles, it’s to approach them with clarity, collaboration, and confidence.

Ask yourself:

• What assumptions am I making that might not be true?

• Have I gathered all the facts or am I reacting to noise?

• What’s one small action I can take today to move forward?

Challenge:
Identify the next actionable step, however small. Start moving, and don’t let analysis paralysis hold you back.

For more on how to reframe a problem, read this insight from Harvard Business Review.

Will You Lead Yourself With Calm?

Problem-solving isn’t just about ideas, it’s about your mindset. When leaders panic, teams panic. When leaders focus, teams follow.

Ask yourself:

• Am I reacting emotionally or responding thoughtfully?

• What internal narrative is driving my decisions right now?

• Am I practicing patience as I gather perspectives?

Challenge:
Pause for five minutes before tackling your next problem. Breathe, refocus, and step outside (ideally somewhere with a wide landscape). Approach the challenge with clarity, not urgency.

Will You Empower Problem Solving in Others?

Your team looks to you not just for answers but for a framework to think critically. Consistently modelling problem-solving creates a culture where everyone feels capable.

Ask yourself:

• Do I invite input from everyone or just the confident voices?

• Am I encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes?

• Do I recognise effort, not just outcomes?

Challenge:
Choose one problem today to tackle as a team. Facilitate the discussion, listen actively, and let them propose solutions before stepping in.

For some helpful learnings on problem solving, dive into this short podcast from leadership expert Craig Groeschel.

P.S If you missed the last edition, you can go back and review it here.