President Obama was asked recently about his top career advice for young people. (Did you see the video? Check it here). I love his response: Just know how to get stuff done.
People like people who know how to get stuff done.
Sometimes, our generation thinks we have more problems than the last but we should remember the words of Paul Harvey who said that in times like these it is always helpful to remember that they have always been times like these.
People don’t like problems. Including you.
But I have realised that the quickest way to gain leadership is PROBLEM SOLVING.
People will hand over the reins of leadership into your hands if you are WILLING and ABLE to either tackle the problems or train them to solve it. Doing the former is better and places you ahead to doing the latter.
So, we all have problems. It is like a head or breath. Problems keep us alive and give meaning to our lives.
Think about this for a moment:
The only obstacle that an eagle needs to overcome in order to fly with greater speed is the air. But you know that if the eagle becomes so proud and wants the air to be withdrawn permanently, the eagle will instantly fall to the ground, unable to fly at all.
So, the same element that offers resistance to flying is at the same time the element needed for flight.
It is a law – Obstacles are conditions for success.
King David wrote most of the Psalms in times of difficulty. Paul, one of my favourites – wrote most of his letters in prisons. Most of the thoughts and quotes of great thinkers were actually written in times where they were passing through one fire.
You are on a job in that company because there is a problem to solve. The day you stop solving that problem, you are no longer needed.
That you have a problem is not the problem. There is a difference between a person who has a big problem and a person who makes a problem big. For many people, their “problems” are not their real problems. The problem is that they react wrongly to “problems” and therefore make their “problems” big problems.
So here is the benefit – all leaders have one thing in common: THEY SOLVE PROBLEMS.
While others are overwhelmed by problems, they overcome problems. They refused to hold on to the common excuses for failure. They turned their stumbling blocks into stepping stones. They realised they could not determine every circumstance in life but they could determine their choice of attitude towards the circumstances.
So if you are not ready to be a leader, stay away from problems, and feel free to stop reading my letters.
I have a statement that will help you solve problems as a leader this week:
The size of the person is more important than the size of the problems. Problems look small or big in relation to the size of the person.
GROW, and benefit from problems!
Great Owete
Leadership Evangelist
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