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Hey Leaders! – We Have Some Hard Issues and We Need You…
There are some BIG issues out there waiting to be solved. We have them as a society. We have them organizationally. Maybe we have them personally.
There’s a good chance that these are some of the hardest issues to solve. And there’s a reason why they haven’t been solved yet. Tackling a tough issue may call for different thinking. It may involve people putting their own interests aside. An issue may be so big that, realistically, there are only a few people who have the leadership ability to guide us to a solution.
Solving the BIG Issues
- How can we change the political system to be more productive?
- How can we work in an internationally concerted manner to combat terrorism?
- How can we make our children’s educational experience more consistent across zip codes?
- How can we determine the right degree of involvement with human sexuality issues?
- How can we establish the line between informative media and destructive hype?
These complex issues won’t be solved with a hands-off approach. I suspect you have similar issues – on a smaller scale of course – that affect your inner circles. I know most workplaces have them… the really hard issues that, if addressed, would make a tremendous difference in performance, engagement, or sustainability.
Each of these situations is a call for leadership. The hardest issues need to be intentionally addressed. Time alone will not solve them.
Tips to Help Leaders Address the Hardest Issues:
- Find someone who has been in a similar situation, whether they dealt with the same issue, a similar issue, or a different issue in the same environment. Ask people to share their experiences with you – so you can learn from them in some way.
- Set up the process for success. Invite to the table only those who will contribute to the solution. Pick a time and place that reflects the importance of the issue. Don’t try to squeeze these discussions into tight calendars like every other meeting. Shake up the routine – pick a different location or a different time.
- Take a fact-based approach. The hardest issues often come with emotion. Emotion has a place in decision making, but don’t allow it to run the show.
- Ensure that discussion is direct. That doesn’t mean disrespectful or hurtful. In fact, it means just the opposite. Being fair and direct is a courageous way to show that you care about those invested in the issue.
- Stay involved. Don’t delegate solving the hardest issues unless there is someone else uniquely qualified to drive more effectively than you.
Answer the Calling
The overarching theme is that our hardest issues must be confronted. Whether you’re an elected official, a local politician, a business owner, a manager, a coach, or the leader of your household, you are being called upon to open dialog and drive decisions. It’s the only chance we have for progress.