Are you tired of being the only problem-solver on your team? In this episode of Owlcast, Air Force veteran and leadership expert Leon Thomas joins hosts David Morelli and William Oakley to share his proven strategies for tackling complex problem-solving and empowering your team to find solutions without you. Learn the key questions to ask, how to filter out "false flag" issues, and the critical mindset shift every manager needs to finally take a worry-free vacation. The core of the discussion centers on how leaders can transition from being the sole problem-solver (a mindset driven by a burden of leadership and a desire to be needed) to a leader who develops their team's decision-making capabilities. Thomas's philosophy is that a leader's job is to "prepare every single person on my team to be in my seat."  

Key Topics:
 ·      Not All Problems are Actual Problems: Issues often presented as complex problems are actually "false flags," driven by a heightened emotional state, mere complaints, or comparisons (the "it would be better if..." scenario). Learning to discern an emotional issue from a legitimate problem is the first step.
·      The Power of Questions: When approached with a problem, the first step is active listening, followed by asking probing questions (e.g., "Why is this a problem?" "What have you tried?" "How often is this happening?"). This practice helps the team member discover solutions they hadn't considered and makes the problem their burden to carry.
·      The "We" is an Investment: When asking, "What do we think we can do to solve this problem?", the use of "we" is an investment in the team's ability to collaborate and solve the problem themselves, ensuring the manager is not the only problem-solver.
 ·      A Leader's Primary Job is Succession: The shift from solving every problem to empowering others is motivated by the realization that "My job is to prepare every single person on my team to be in my seat." This ensures the leader can step away (e.g., go on vacation) without the organization stalling.
·      Set Clear Boundaries and Decision Authority: Leaders must clearly define the parameters, objectives, and values for their team, articulating what decisions team members are empowered to make. This eliminates "frivolous" issues and accelerates problem resolution.
·      Communication Must Be Consistent: Managers often err by managing by exception or communicating boundaries only once. Establishing a culture of empowerment requires frequent, consistent communication to reinforce objectives and decision-making authority.