Please don’t come with just the problem. Bring a solution also.

Please don’t come with just the problem. Bring a solution also.

That was the response Joe Armas got from Graeme Hennessey, then head of global sales and marketing, after flagging a delayed shipment and asking what to do.

At first, Joe was caught off guard. But after thinking through a few options, he realized how powerful that mindset was—it helped him take ownership, and it helped Graeme move faster by understanding the tradeoffs.

I had heard the same line from Graeme during my time working for him. And like Joe, I was puzzled at first. But it taught me to think more like a leader:

• 💡 Offer “good enough” solutions, even with incomplete information
• ⚖️ Understand tradeoffs and consequences
• 🤝 Work cross-functionally to gather context and alignment
• 🎯 Focus on what truly matters to customers and the business

Soon, I asked one of my team members to do the same. There was some natural hesitation, but with coaching, a few guiding principles, and a safe place to learn, she grew quickly.

Of course, it didn’t always go smoothly. Sometimes I waited too long to flag risks. Other times, the problem was bigger than I realized.

So I started using a simple system: “watch items.” Issues I didn’t yet have a solution for, but was tracking—and would escalate if unresolved by a certain point. This gave my manager advance notice and an opportunity to step in.

The bigger lesson:
Problem-solving isn’t just about having the answer. It’s about framing the issue, owning the process, and communicating effectively—while providing growth opportunities for the team.

 

#Leadership   #Innovation   #Management   #Entrepreneurship

Sharing personal reflections—opinions are my own, not my employer’s.