As a leader, you will undoubtedly be given problems. People will let you know what is not working and ask you for your help. In these situations, it’s your responsibility to assist them. That doesn’t mean you have to fix the problem for them (often it’s better to coach people in how to solve problems themselves), but it does mean you need to engage with the challenge that has been presented.
When people bring you problems, it’s important to recognize that they generally bring their feelings about those problems along as well. It’s rare to be presented with information about a challenge without some level of commentary about how big an impact the challenge is having on patients, clients, or the future of the practice.
Remember that, while you may have to take on the problem, you don’t have to take on the feelings that come with it.
While you may feel as if the problem you’re being asked to help with is the event that will cause every employee in the building to resign within the next 7 days, you don’t need to accept that belief or react as if it is true.
You can listen to the problem, validate how the person telling you about it is feeling, and then decide what emotions you choose to attach to the moment.
Always remember that you can’t choose what problems come to you in life. You can choose how you react to them, and you do not have to follow suit from the person who came before you.
