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Problem Solving: How do leaders prioritize problems?

Apr 18, 2010
Problem Solving

We all have problems.  We know what the problems are yet we resist fixing our own problems.  It usually feels better to focus on someone else’s problems.  It is definitely more fun to tell them how to fix their problems.  We like to do this because our own problems are sometimes too hard, too painful, too overwhelming, too time consuming, or too emotionally draining. 

One leader recently observed in a recent blog post that “we show up and do ALL of what we WANT to do and SOME of what we HAVE to do”.  How do we get beyond this? 

1. Make a list of your problems.  For those who hate lists, someone (usually a leader) must make the list for them, maintain it and hold them accountable.  Some who hate lists but recognize their value will make themselves keep lists.  And peer pressure helps.

2. Make sure the problems are yours.  Sometime we accept the monkey on our back when it isn’t our monkey to take.  There is nothing wrong with being helpful, listening and even offering suggestions.  Hold your peers accountable for solving their own problems.

3. Ask yourself key questions.  Does this problem prevent me or the organization from producing results?  What result am I trying to produce?  Does anyone else care about this problem?  What will happen if this problem does not get resolved?  Click here to read Organizational Results:  Decide on the Results You Want.

4. Organize the list of problems.  Create a task list organized by the order in which the task would ideally occur. Start each task with a verb, add deadlines with dates and assign responsibility if others will be involved.  Click here to read Organizational Results:  Reduce Processes to Simple Tasks.

How do you prioritize problems?

5 Comments
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5 Comments

  1. Kendall L. Stewart  •  Apr 18, 2010 @8:32 pm

    Leeann, I agree that leaders are often tempted to solve others’ problems instead of their own.
    Others’ problems are so much easier.
    Like other unsolicited advice, such efforts are rarely appreciated or amount to much.

  2. Vicki Noel  •  Apr 18, 2010 @9:00 pm

    One way I prioritize problems is by determining which problems I can impact versus those I cannot. Like the serenity prayer…I try to focus on the multitudes of problems that exist in my sphere of leadership and deal with those first. Those problems I cannot impact can be a distraction…at least on the first round of prioritizing.

  3. Leeann Sammons  •  Apr 19, 2010 @7:52 pm

    Vicki, you are correct that some problems are actually distractions and not a priority. It is tempting to focus on those problems, particularly if we are more comfortable dealing with that problem.

  4. stonej  •  Apr 22, 2010 @7:33 am

    Ok, to be honest–I make the list, don’t get sidetracked by others problems, but then other important things keep getting in the way. The daily operations or the preceived “crisis” of the day keep bumping into the list. I know this is true for all of us, I’m just at a point of frustration with it right now. I do need to priortize which is what I am not doing well. (ok, while I have written this 3 different staff members have been here to see me, which is a good thing, and I’m not considering that a distraction, just a challenge to stay focused)

  5. Leeann Sammons  •  Apr 23, 2010 @1:57 pm

    Jone, focus is maybe THE most significant challenge leaders face. If not the the most significant, it is in at least the top 3 challenges. As the needs of our employees and organization change, so too must the way we manage our work. I manage my work much differently now than I did one or two years ago.

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