by Raoul Encinas
When I started my career, I was eager to solve problems and proud to be seen as a valuable resource for those around me. It was validating to be known as the “go-to” person for the most challenging, vexing, or thorniest of problems.
As with any strength, however, I became overly reliant on this skill and could not see where it was giving me trouble. That is the nature of blind spots, after all: we cannot see them!
Thankfully, with the help of a skilled coach, my appetite for lifelong learning, and a patient team of supportive colleagues, I strengthened my capabilities as a leader and moved from being the “chief problem solver” to enabling others to better solve their own problems.
Old habits die hard, and I always want to be helpful to those around me when they share their problems. Nowadays I use these questions to determine how I can best add value to a given situation.
As with any strength, however, I became overly reliant on this skill and could not see where it was giving me trouble. That is the nature of blind spots, after all: we cannot see them!
Thankfully, with the help of a skilled coach, my appetite for lifelong learning, and a patient team of supportive colleagues, I strengthened my capabilities as a leader and moved from being the “chief problem solver” to enabling others to better solve their own problems.
Old habits die hard, and I always want to be helpful to those around me when they share their problems. Nowadays I use these questions to determine how I can best add value to a given situation.