When I first approached my mentor about my interest in going into higher education administration, the first piece of advice he gave to me had to do with problems and their solutions. Even though the following dictum may seem obvious to many, it is advice too often ignored. Here is our third Earlyism:
Earlyism #3: Don’t bring your boss problems. Bring your boss solutions.
I have problems; you have problems; everyone has problems. Your boss already has plenty of problems; she doesn’t need yours. So don’t just bring problems to her. Instead, your boss needs you to present solutions to those problems. Preferably, these will be solutions that you’ve already implemented. But at the very least, they will be suggested solutions that your boss can implement to solve whatever the problem is.
Even though this advice seems obvious to most, it didn’t seem so obvious to me. When I approached my mentor about going into higher ed administration, I had absolutely no leadership experience. I hadn’t even supervised a student worker. I knew nothing about managing others. I had never been chair of a committee, leader of a team, or supervisor of a staff. My entire career had consisted strictly of teaching undergraduate students about religion and philosophy. When I had a problem, my dean was supposed to provide the resources to solve it. My teaching load is too heavy–the dean can solve that. My paycheck is too small–the dean has the power to fix that. My classroom needs a new computer–my dean can get me one. For better or worse, I saw my dean as my fixer.
I had become somewhat competent at teaching students. So I naturally assumed I was ready for the next step in my professional development, which was to lead people. When I spoke to my mentor about my aspirations, he wisely surmised my naivete about my goals. And he gave me a piece of advice that has served me well over the years.
There are several reasons Earlyism #3 is great advice for a new manager/leader. These reasons comprise some strong advice or you to follow.
Show Initiative
First, it shows initiative. Management/Leadership problems aren’t just things encountered by the inexperienced or incompetent. They are part of the daily routine of every leader. The more problems you can solve, the fewer your supervisor will have to solve.
Solutions Cushion the Blow of the Problem
Second, if you created the problem, your boss will be much more forgiving of your mistake if you present one or more possible solutions to the problem at the same time that you mention the problem you created.
Move Forward
Third, Earlyism #3 keeps the focus on moving forward. While everyone else is shouting out their problems from the peanut gallery, you’re spending your energy on resolving them. This future orientation keeps both you and the organization on track. And those above and below you on the leadership hierarchy will take notice.
So, department head: did the adjunct teacher you had nailed down to teach that class bail out on you at the last minute? Don’t go wail to your associate dean about the problem. She doesn’t have a magic wand that finds faculty for your classes. Instead, you find another teacher for the class, and then go tell your associate dean. Of course, make sure you find the best person you can under the circumstances. Otherwise, you’ve only created another problem instead of a solution. But keep in mind that your supervisor has these problems coming at her from all directions. She will appreciate your being proactive in dealing with your problem.
Finally, remember that Earlysim #3 doesn’t mean hiding your problems from your boss. Your boss cannot lead unless she is fully informed, even if that means confiding to her that you made a mistake. Regardless of the cause of the problem, your boss needs to remain in the loop. But if you can at least present her with a menu of solutions when you disclose the problem, it will make your problem pill easier for her to swallow.
Leaders aren’t problemists. Leaders are solutionists. Be a solutionist.