One of the main responsibilities of a leader is problem solving.

As long as people will live in the world, there will always be problems, misunderstanding and chaos.

The leader must step in and take charge. Problem solving is the fastest away of gaining

leadership. If problems, plans, and people are left alone

without direction, things will turn bad and the organization will suffer loss.

When the leader comes in and restore order and decency, he catches the attention of the people

The leader must make sure is not the problem or part of the problem

He must understand the problems before addressing them

He must listen to people before drawing conclusions on matters rising.

He must be committed to solving problems

The leader must not be bias in problem solving by being partial or unclear when it comes to his position toward the problem.

Good leaders must be problem solvers. They don’t create problems but they understand them and plan to solve them methodically and transparently.

They are committed in solving problems that arise among the people.

They set quality time into problem solving, making sure that the organization and the people gain into the outcome of the exercise. Here are their characteristics:

A problem solving leader sees problems before they happen. So he solves them before they arise.

He anticipate problems. If he cannot stop them, he sees them coming and he makes plan to welcome them and address them.

The problem solving leader is realistic. He does not bury his head in the sand. He faces reality and address it He does not avoid problem by dodging

them or minimizing them. He is truthful and trustworthy in all the

dealings about problems and their solving.

He is not partisan in problem solving when problems are due to conflicts.

He goes beyond the petty and immediate gains and

He sees people’s and organization gain, not only now, but also and mainly tomorrow.

The future of the organization is bigger than his own interests and gains.

He is not selfish, trying to use problem solving for his own image.

He has a lager perspective: the good of all stakeholders.

Problems must be categorized.They have to be analyzedThey may be having compartmentsA problem solving leader will start

with the major problems scaling them down to the smallest, dividing time accordingly.

He takes initiative and deal with problems one by one, methodically.

A solving problem leader is perspicacious and persistent in dealing with problems

He does not get discouraged and remain tenacious, even when he feels paralyzed and powerless.

He goes back and study new developments in the problem.

He does not give up after one or a few attempts He is not afraid of failure. Failing is a process of learning. Repetition is the

mother of science, says French people. The ability to solve problems come from

experience and exposure to difficult situation including failure.

If he never fails and tries again and again, he will never master difficulties.

Failing is disastrous when it demobilizes A problem solving leader will not allow

failure to demobilize him. He will not fail and fall He must fall and get up again, not

forgetting the goal. His goal is bigger than his failure He keeps failing but rolling forward. He

is bound to succeed, empowered by the determination to reach his objectives.

Becoming a problem solving leader does not happen like a miracle

One has develop skills and capabilities by doing

Experience is vital Knowledge comes through practice

and sharing with others. Here are some tips on how to go about

improving skills in problem solving:

Don’t avoid problems, attack them Search for them and understand them Don’t minimize them Use caution in dealing with them Use the resource within you But take them to someone

experienced for second opinion A problem solving leader learns to

solve problems by pursuing them, not by avoiding them.

By facing problems and attempting to solve them, a problem solving leader gains experience

He will systemize his experience by creating methods

He takes time to discover the real issues He finds out what others have done in

the same areas He uses his teams to study the solutions

and choose to apply (try) the best

Wisdom is in many counselors, says the Bible

A solving problem leader is not an island Diverse thinking allows him to tackle

problems with confidence He values people and their input in

complementing him and his limitations Team working is efficient in problem solving What one can’t do, many can do. (Eccl.9:4)

Problem solving Is one of the core responsibilities of a leader.

The leader does not create problems He solves them He has to understand them and set

plan to address them fearlessly His commitment to solving problem

and his courage in doing that will enhance his leadership role.

In solving problem , he must remember to protect both the organization and the people.