Managers Must Solve Problems

No matter what industry you are in, you will run into difficulties that are not planned. Your internal customers (anyone in your company that has an interest in what you are doing) may be upset with you. Your external customers may be upset with you. So, what do you do when everyone is so upset?

What Are You Doing to Improve the Situation?

If you have jobs or tasks that must be done in a given time period, you must also be aware of when it looks like it will be late. If this is the case, you need to take action. Just telling the boss isn’t good enough. They may not take action. And you’ll still be to blame.

Simply telling your boss about it doesn’t always solve a problem (in fact, it rarely solves a problem). When a due date looms, superior managers figure out a way to get things done! Just kicking it upstairs doesn’t get it out of your lap. If you have kicked it upstairs, you have failed – and now your manager has failed, too. You look bad, and your newly tarnished boss is not happy about it, either.

Problem Solving

Search out a solution! As you become aware of a situation that is going badly, immediately work to fix it. Gather other departments to discuss alternatives. You only have so much time to get things back on track and you must work quickly. If you waste time, many options become unavailable to you. At some point, you are late. That is not ok. This means you have failed.

Open Your Eyes

Your subordinates often won’t want to come and tell you that they are having trouble accomplishing a task. You need to be out there talking with them constantly in order to stay on top of things. Ask if the need help. Ask about a completion schedule. Bring their materials to them. Make their copies for them. If you can find a way to get more production out of them, do it. That’s what you’re being paid to do.

Kicking a problem up to the boss and not doing anything else doesn’t help anyone. Solving problems will create pleased customers, which will create a pleased boss. Your team will come to depend on your leadership abilities, and your boss will come to depend on your ability so take care of issues, as well.

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