Solving Problems

Things I’ve learned about solving problems while running a business:

One person can come up with a workable, even amazing solution.

A small team can generally come up with a better solution than an individual contributor, provided the group members are skilled.

A large team will generally come up with a worse solution than an individual contributor.

Some opinions carry more weight than others.

To have your opinion count, you must have expertise in the area in question. Not everyone gets to weigh in on every issue.

Fresh eyes can be good at certain points, but fresh eyes too often can bog a project down.

Not everyone will be perfectly happy with every solution, and that’s OK.

Fostering growth means letting people take swings before they're ready. Pick their projects thoughtfully—the goal is to empower, not overwhelm.

My problem-solving prescription:

Make decisions with the smallest viable team of experts who have the perspective needed to effectively put the decision into action.

Once a course of action is decided on, take the time to share the Why behind the What. This creates a learning moment, connects the decision to the values of your organization, and expands the capability of your team over time.