leadership skills problem solving

Problem-solving in Leadership: How to Master the 5 Key Skills

The role of problem-solving in enhancing team morale, the right approach to problem-solving in leadership, developing problem-solving skills in leadership, leadership problem-solving examples.

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What’s the Role of Problem-solving in Leadership?

• Getting to the root of the issue:  First, Sarah starts by looking at the numbers for the past few months. She identifies the products for which sales are falling. She then attempts to correlate it with the seasonal nature of consumption or if there is any other cause hiding behind the numbers. 
• Identifying the sources of the problem:  In the next step, Sarah attempts to understand why sales are falling. Is it the entry of a new competitor in the next neighborhood, or have consumption preferences changed over time? She asks some of her present and past customers for feedback to get more ideas. 
• Putting facts on the table:  Next up, Sarah talks to her sales team to understand their issues. They could be lacking training or facing heavy workloads, impacting their productivity. Together, they come up with a few ideas to improve sales. 
• Selection and application:  Finally, Sarah and her team pick up a few ideas to work on after analyzing their costs and benefits. They ensure adequate resources, and Sarah provides support by guiding them wherever needed during the planning and execution stage. 
• Identifying the root cause of the problem.
• Brainstorming possible solutions.
• Evaluating those solutions to select the best one.
• Implementing it.

• Analytical thinking:   Analytical thinking skills refer to a leader’s abilities that help them analyze, study, and understand complex problems. It allows them to dive deeper into the issues impacting their teams and ensures that they can identify the causes accurately. 
• Critical Thinking:  Critical thinking skills ensure leaders can think beyond the obvious. They enable leaders to question assumptions, break free from biases, and analyze situations and facts for accuracy. 
• Creativity:  Problems are often not solved straightaway. Leaders need to think out of the box and traverse unconventional routes. Creativity lies at the center of this idea of thinking outside the box and creating pathways where none are apparent. 
• Decision-making:  Cool, you have three ways to go. But where to head? That’s where decision-making comes into play – fine-tuning analysis and making the choices after weighing the pros and cons well. 
• Effective Communication:  Last but not at the end lies effective communication that brings together multiple stakeholders to solve a problem. It is an essential skill to collaborate with all the parties in any issue. Leaders need communication skills to share their ideas and gain support for them.

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The Power of Leaders Who Focus on Solving Problems

• Deborah Ancona
• Hal Gregersen

Can you get people excited about the problems that excite you?

There’s a new kind of leadership taking hold in organizations. Strikingly, these new leaders don’t like to be called leaders, and none has any expectation that they will attract “followers”  personally  — by dint of their charisma, status in a hierarchy, or access to resources. Instead, their method is to get others excited about whatever problem they have identified as ripe for a novel solution. Having fallen in love with a problem, they step up to leadership — but only reluctantly and only as necessary to get it solved. Leadership becomes an intermittent activity as people with enthusiasm and expertise step up as needed, and readily step aside when, based on the needs of the project, another team member’s strengths are more central. Rather than being pure generalists, leaders pursue their own deep expertise, while gaining enough familiarity with other knowledge realms to make the necessary connections. They expect to be involved in a series of initiatives with contributors fluidly assembling and disassembling.

In front of a packed room of MIT students and alumni, Vivienne Ming is holding forth in a style all her own. “Embrace cyborgs,” she calls out, as she clicks to a slide that raises eyebrows even in this tech-smitten crowd. “ Really . Fifteen to 25 years from now, cognitive neuroprosthetics will fundamentally change the definition of what it means to be human.”

• Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and the founder of the MIT Leadership Center.
• Hal Gregersen is a Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Innovation at the MIT Sloan School of Management , a globally recognized expert in navigating rapid change, and a Thinkers50 ranked management thinker. He is the author of Questions Are the Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life and the coauthor of The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators .

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The Leader’s 5-Step Process for Solving Any Problem

This blog post has been adapted from Dr. John Maxwell’s leadership resource, Developing the Leader Within You 2.0. John Maxwell has been one of the world’s foremost leadership and personal growth experts for more than 40 years, and this guidebook for leadership development contains invaluable insights. You can pick up a copy here .

Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

Not everyone sees things this way. Some are presented with tough problems or hard choices and throw up their hands in frustration. But viewing a challenge as an obstacle, rather than an opportunity, does not prevent us from having the problem – it only affects our ability to solve it.

Any leader who can shift his or her thinking from Is there an answer? to There is always an answer to There must be a good answer has the potential to become not only a fantastic problem solver, but also a change agent for opportunity.

Not Problems, But Possibilities

Leadership author and speaker Glenn Llopis has written about the power of this problem-solving perspective. He quoted Karl Popper: “All life is problem solving.” Then he went on to say, “The best leaders are the best problem solvers. They have the patience to step back and see the problem at-hand through broadened observation… The most effective leaders approach problems through a lens of opportunity.”

So how can leaders look at problems through the lens of opportunity? Try these 5 perspective-shifting approaches:

1. RECOGNIZE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES A REAL PROBLEM.

Great leaders are rarely blindsided. Like boxers, they recognize that the punch that knocks them out is usually the one they didn’t see coming. For that reason they are always looking for signs and indicators that will give them insight into any potential problems ahead. Every problem is like the one faced by the trespasser at an Indiana farm who saw a sign on a fence post that said, “If you cross this field, you’d better do it in 9.8 seconds. The bull can do it in 10 seconds.”

Good leaders anticipate problems so they can position themselves and those who follow them for success. What potential problems do you see in your world, and what is your game plan to fix them when they happen? Downsides rarely have an upside unless you are ready for them on the front end.

2. GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM.

Have you ever heard the saying “Assumption is the mother of mess-ups”? If assumptions create mess-ups in everyday life, they create trainwrecks in leadership. The place to start is by getting a clear picture of the problem you face. Financier and business titan J. P. Morgan asserted, “No problem can be solved until it is reduced to some simple form. The changing of a vague difficulty into a specific, concrete form is a very essential element in thinking.”

That process begins by identifying what constitutes a problem. Author Bobb Biehl defines a problem as “a situation that’s counter to your intentions or expectations.” So what must a leader do when they find themselves facing one of these counter-situations? They must follow the advice of author Max De Pree, who said, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.”

3. ASK QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS.

Questions are a vital resource for problem solving. Not only do they help leaders gather information and seek solutions, but they also enable us to understand what people think and feel before we lead them. Many leaders are too quick to talk and lead, and too slow to ask questions and listen.

Consider these clarifying questions next time you’re faced with difficulty:

• Who knows the most about this problem?
• Who knows what I need to know?
• Who wants to tackle this problem?
• Who needs to buy in, and how long will that take?

4. ALWAYS COME UP WITH MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION.

As you seek to solve problems, list as many solutions to a problem as possible. The more, the better. Keep in mind that seldom is there just one way to solve a problem. The more options the better, because problems continually shift and change. Leaders who don’t have backup solutions soon find themselves in trouble.

The truth is that big ideas don’t appear—they evolve. But that only happens when you are determined to explore ideas and look for more and better solutions.

5. INSPIRE ACTION.

One of the greatest dangers for a thoughtful person is to spend too much time on problem solving and too little time on solution implementing. Leaders who don’t or can’t follow through are in danger of thinking, Ready, aim, aim, aim… but never fire!

The solution is to develop a bias for action. Don’t think, Can I? Instead think, How can I? Then start moving forward. The moment you confront and act on a problem, you begin to solve it. If great inventors and explorers hadn’t taken tangible, deliberate steps forward, would they have made the contributions they’re known for? No! Their belief prompted action and their action created results. Ideas evolve as you move, and better solutions come into view as you move forward. Ultimately, you can’t wish or wait your way through difficulties. You must work your way through them.

How do great leaders improve? One way is by committing to always improving their leadership skills and surrounding themselves with like-minded people.

Maxwell Leadership is proud to present Day to Grow… a one-day leadership development conference in Orlando, Florida, on August 14th , featuring incredible speakers like John C. Maxwell, Atomic Habits author James Clear, Juliet Funt, and Ryan Leak. Ready to reserve your seat at Day to Grow? Click here to register .

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6 Problem Solving Skills That All Leaders Should Work On

• Anouare Abdou
• January 3, 2023

Table of Contents

Chances are, if you are a leader, you are also a pretty good problem-solver . You have come this far because you are proactive about finding solutions. You know how to think critically, strategize and execute. You foster collaboration in your team and make the most of the strengths of each team member. You lean on your communication skills to overcome challenges. 

If you want to take your ability to solve complex problems to the next level, however, you’ll need to actively work on the specific problem-solving skills that differentiate great leaders from excellent ones. 

“More than ever, leaders are facing highly complex, challenging situations that don’t have simple solutions. These include the intersection of employee mental health, diversity and equity expectations, supply chain issues, societal crises, and more,” according to Dr. Mira Brancu , award-winning leader, author, and consulting psychologist. “Employees and customers are expecting more from companies, and therefore the leaders that are needed today are those who have more than just technical expertise in their field – they also have the ability to solve complex problems.” 

On that note, here are six problem-solving skills that all leaders should work on these days. 

1. Calculating the critical path 

Every leader should know how to calculate the critical path in a project, according to Christina Wallace , senior lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management at Harvard Business School, angel investor, and author of “The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card .” 

Wondering what that even means? In project management, the critical path is the longest sequence of activities that must be completed to ensure a project is finished. Every project has a set of tasks and sub-tasks. Some of them can happen concurrently, while others need to happen in a certain sequence. Identifying all those activities and the dependencies between them allows you to calculate the critical path that leads to the project end date – in simple words, it lets you forecast how long it will take to wrap up your project while anticipating bottlenecks. 

“If you’ve ever been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic while three lanes winnow down to one, you are familiar with the idea of a bottleneck and its frustrations. It’s the moment when too many things (cars, deadlines) are demanding the same resources at once (roadway, time on your calendar), creating congestion in the system,” says Wallace. Calculating the critical path helps prevent bottlenecks before they happen. Use a Gantt chart , a graphic that displays activities against time, to visualize the critical path of a project – most project-management platforms offer the option to create one. “Visualizing the bottlenecks gives you the opportunity to move things around, add in buffers or simplify processes to ensure your plan is not only feasible but also realistic,” adds Wallace 

2. Sensitivity analysis

If you manage a budget, you’ll also want to know how to run a sensitivity analysis – a technique that tests how robust your predictions are.

“If the economy suddenly hits a recession, will that affect the demand for your work or the pricing power you have over your rates? Are there expenses that could see a sizable change, like the cost of living significantly increasing in a fast-growing city? What about one-off costs that you don’t regularly budget for? According to Wallace, ” do you have a plan to mitigate them?” are questions to ask yourself about your financial planning. The idea of a sensitivity analysis is to consider the assumptions built into your financial model – say, assuming that your team is going to hit certain targets– and assess the likelihood of those assumptions being wrong. 

“A sensitivity analysis gives you the ability to consider multiple scenarios and understand how your financial plans may need to change if the future looks different than you anticipate,” says Wallace. No need to be a CFO to do this either – if you have a budget, you should unpack the assumptions involved in your plan. 

3. Critical thinking 

Speaking of assumptions, how often do you challenge your own biases and seek to look at problems in a variety of ways? It’s a crucial aspect of critical thinking – and critical thinking is a crucial aspect of solving problems. To flex your critical thinking muscles, you’ll want to look at issues from different perspectives. 

“Critical thinking involves seeing an issue from many angles, zooming out to the big picture and zooming into the details and back, and being able to imagine the impact of making different decisions on multiple stakeholders before making a final decision,” says Brancu. 

Practice this with every problem you solve and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at the solutions that you come up with and the opportunities that open up as a result. 

4. Data gathering 

Data gathering is another important problem-solving skill to work on. Knowing how to gather both qualitative and quantitative data to solve problems is key, according to Brancu. 

“This involves taking the time to speak with critical stakeholders, and business data, and garnering other information to ensure that you are not missing anything important before making a decision. It helps you address your own blind spots,” she says. Gathering information about a challenge before making a move is not time wasted – it’s time gained down the line. 

5. Leveraging advisors 

Wallace says that leaders should build their own personal “board of directors” to solve problems more effectively. Leveraging your relationships in that way is an underrated but powerful problem-solving ability. 

Your advisors should include a collection of folks that you go to for advice, introductions, a fresh perspective, or some hard truth, says Wallace. “They bring their experience, judgment, and network to the table, providing counsel, access, and feedback. Rather than looking for one mentor who can be all things for an indefinite period of time, you can seek out directors who may do a rotation on your board for a few years, maybe more, maybe less.” 

To be clear, you don’t need to officially ask them to be part of your “board.” You simply have to make a point of connecting with them on a regular basis because you appreciate their experience and trust their advice. According to Wallace, you should seek to cover five key roles: a coach, a negotiator, a connector, a cheerleader, and a truth-teller. Turn to them when you’re unsure about how to move forward. 

6. Change-management skills 

Every leader should possess change-management skills when solving problems in this day and age. “Any decision that is made to address a problem needs to consider both the actual change that is required, as well as the people who would be affected. Most leaders overlook the impact and reactions of the people who are affected by any change, or they spend insufficient time considering how to involve different groups of people at different phases of a change process,” according to Brancu. 

“As a result, the problem might get worse because the leader didn’t get buy-in, didn’t communicate the concern or plan sufficiently or didn’t sufficiently address concerns raised,” she adds. 

If you become adept at change management, you’ll solve issues before they even happen. Talk about a useful problem-solving skill.

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Problem solving: a critical leadership skill.

Home » Blog » Business » Problem Solving: A Critical Leadership Skill

Today’s leadership responsibilities and roles aren’t limited to delegating and management. Instead, when it comes to effective leadership, problem solving is not only an important skill, but a crucial role for leaders to take on.

Faced with more complex challenges in business and the world at large, many leaders are embracing what some traditionalists may call anti-leadership. Instead of focusing primarily on managing their people, many leaders are fixing their attention on the problems at hand, and unintentionally leading people excited about the solutions they are striving for. Founder of the MIT Leadership Center Deborah Ancona and Executive Director Hal Gregersen have labeled this problem-led leadership , and are reporting an increase in this distinctive style.

Even on a smaller scale, problem solving is a critical component for leaders who must strive to eliminate barriers and challenges that can otherwise hinder their people’s or their business’ progress. In a Harvard Business Review study about the skills that influence a leader’s success, problem solving ranked third out of 16.

As a leader, you need to approach problem solving as an opportunity, with a broad perspective and a calm demeanor. And, you’ll want to arm yourself with a few critical approaches to hone your problem-solving skills.

How to Develop Problem Solving Skills

Identify and define the problem.

Implementing a solution too early may not fully address the problem. Instead, invest time in understanding and defining the scope and nature of the problem to generate several good solutions before taking action. Don’t confuse a generic label of the problem (for example, the sales forecast is wrong) with the real definition of the problem. To truly define the problem, you would need to indicate something like: I know our department anticipated twice the revenue shown in the forecast here, and only three salespeople are represented from a staff of 10. Then, you also need to identify when and what the resolution needs to be: In one week, I need the correct forecast available for a board meeting.

Analyze the Problem

You will also want to assess the degree to which the problem has affected the overall business. In the example above, perhaps the sales forecast report has impacted other departments in the company as well. Look for overall patterns and ask questions about who, what, when, where, why and how to understand the scale of the impact. The objective is to find the root cause to allow you to implement a permanent resolution instead of a temporary fix.

Data offers a fact-based perspective on a problem and can help you define the issue. Learn what types of data are available for you and how to interpret the datasets. And, be sure to translate your findings in clear and meaningful ways for stakeholders who can support resolutions.

Communicate

You will need to cultivate good communication skills, to allow you to clearly and effectively relay the problem to key stakeholders. Then, you’ll also need to inspire the people who are supporting the solution to remain connected to the task until it is resolved.  

Transparency is a key tenant of communication to ensure all aspects of a problem are understood. This is also critical when proposing solutions, as you need to understand different perspectives and concerns before implementing what you believe to be the right approach. Sometimes, this may entail keeping team members accountable for giving honest feedback, as not everyone feels comfortable sharing, particularly negative or dissenting opinions.

Finally, once you have a plan, you’ll need to communicate unambiguously to implement it.

Be Open-Minded

Problem solving cannot be done well if leaders are change- or risk-averse – or worse, allowing team members to mask inefficiencies. You’ll need to be able to assess a problem outside of immediate, obvious details, and be open to taking risks to find a better, more innovative approach. Problem solving is best conducted when many people can contribute their best ideas and skills, and you’ll need to keep an open mind to hear from top talent and innovate ideas across the organization, and to take on a new perspective.

Develop Solutions

Once the problem has been identified and analyzed and you’ve brainstormed solutions, you’ll want to narrow down a few fully developed solutions. Presenting every idea on the list to stakeholders or clients can hamper decisions. With a narrowed list, you can design a long-term solution or two that consider the time, cost, and technology required to support the solution.  

Learn From Mistakes

Mistakes are a natural part of growth and development, and fostering solid problem-solving skills will likely entail some errors along the way. But mistakes can provide learning opportunities and improve your overall process and approach – as long as you appreciate them as a learning opportunity. Even if you aren’t grappling with an obvious mistake, take time to reflect on the overall process and approach and determine if you would change anything to boost efficiency, creativity, or speed the next time.

Cultivating strong problem-solving skills is critical for leaders at any level and career stage, and starting now ensures as you advance, you’ll be fine-tuning this vital skill instead of trying to play catch up.

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Problem Solving Ability

Definition: anticipating, analyzing, diagnosing, and resolving problems..

Leaders with an aptitude for problem-solving have the ability to analyze, diagnose and deal with problems effectively. Whether the problem is linear and “tame,” or nonlinear and “wicked,” adept problem solvers have a natural propensity to discover and help lead others to solutions. The leaders of tomorrow must learn to be collaborative problem-solving facilitators, instead of solitary master problem-solvers. Problem-solving ability is a multi-faceted competency that uses other skills discussed throughout the Leaders Are Clear Thinkers section, including conceptual thinking, planning and organization, and creativity. In this section you’ll discover resources and activities to sharpen your problem-solving skills.

Join our community  to learn more about problem-solving skills, and to access resources and activities to help you along the way. 

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A Lesson in Leadership: 5 Effective Problem Solving Strategies Used by Great Leaders

• A Lesson in Leadership: 5…

No matter how well you run your organization, you are going to encounter problems along the way.

What makes or breaks an organization isn’t the problems they face, but how they handle these problems. This is why as a leader of an organization, it’s very important that you have the right problem solving strategies up your sleeve.

What do you need to know?

Check out this guide to discover the top problem-solving strategies used by great leaders.

1. Communicate Transparently

If you want to solve problems effectively, you need to be a transparent communicator .

This means that everyone needs to feel free to express their point of view and concerns. If people are afraid to speak up, then it can take a lot longer to get to the heart of the matter.

In order for transparent communication to happen, as a leader, you need to make sure you facilitate an environment that allows for open dialogue. Too many times, employees of organizations are afraid to speak up because they’re worried about losing their job or being exposed for doing something wrong.

Therefore, problem-solving effectively means creating an environment where everyone is comfortable discussing and tackling the problem in a collaborative manner .

2. Stop Finger Pointing

When a problem arises, it can be all too easy to play the blame game. But, doing this isn’t going to get you anywhere.

If your team is truly a team, then this means that everyone is working together toward one common goal. So, when one person messes up, this means that the whole team messes up.

When you point your finger at the one person who messes up, you’re just being a part of the problem. Instead, you want to be a part of the solution.

While you should teach everyone to take responsibility for their actions, when something happens, it’s important to work together to solve it.

3. Think Positive

In order to be an effective problem solver, you need to always think positively .

If an issue occurs and you come at it with a negative mindset, there’s no way you’re going to find a suitable solution. By having a positive perspective on things, you’ll be able to transfer that energy to your team members and motivate them to solve the problem.

4. Be Open-Minded

Don’t be that leader who locks themselves in their office when a problem occurs.

Problems often occur due to a break in communication. By locking yourself in your office to think about the problem, you’re only further straining your team’s communication.

The best thing to do is to discuss your ideas to solve the problem with your team members. And, you should encourage your team members to share their problem-solving ideas as well.

Problem Solving Strategies: Are You Ready to Start Solving?

Now that you have these problem solving strategies handy, you should be better equipped the next time a problem arises in your organization.

For more ways to improve your organization, be sure to check out this guide to learn how to engage your millennial candidates.

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Mastering Problem Solving Leadership Skills for Effective Coaching

Key takeaways.

Effective coaching is rooted in a solid understanding of problem-solving fundamentals. By categorizing issues and defining problems clearly, leaders can guide their teams towards innovative solutions.

A systematic approach to problem-solving, along with fostering a growth mindset and diverse thinking, enhances a team's resilience and creativity, enabling more thorough and innovative solutions.

Coaching methods such as using real-world scenarios, reflective practice, and promoting peer coaching are essential in developing problem-solving leadership skills within the team.

Transforming challenges into opportunities for growth involves shifting perspectives, encouraging accountability, and fostering collaboration to cultivate a proactive and innovative team environment.

Continuous learning, leveraging technology, and celebrating small victories are key strategies for sustaining a culture of improvement and innovation within the team.

Introduction

For emerging leaders, developing the ability to coach team members towards innovative solutions is key to organizational success. This article explores how honing your problem-solving leadership skills can transform challenges into opportunities for growth, empowering you to lead by example and drive your team towards excellence.

Understanding the fundamentals of problem solving in leadership is crucial for effective coaching. Not all problems are created equal; routine issues can often be managed with established methods, while complex problems require innovative thinking. Defining a problem clearly, through careful questioning and data collection, sharpens focus and aids in finding effective solutions. Embracing a systematic approach, which includes identifying the problem, generating, evaluating, and implementing solutions, ensures thoroughness. Encouraging a growth mindset and facilitating diverse thinking within your team promotes resilience and creativity.

Supporting problem solving also involves effective decision-making, where weighing options and considering risks come into play. Analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and root cause analysis provide a structured approach. Leaders should model problem-solving behaviours and promote collaboration, leveraging each team member’s strengths. Reflecting on past problems and solutions can offer valuable insights for future challenges. Emotional intelligence is essential for understanding team dynamics and navigating conflicts, while flexibility ensures that strategies can adapt to new information, leading to innovative solutions. Continuous improvement by refining processes and anticipating challenges prevents recurring problems.

Coaching is a powerful platform for enhancing problem-solving leadership skills. Encouraging curiosity through open-ended questions stimulates deeper thinking, while real-world scenarios and reflective practices post-problem-solving enhance learning. Promoting peer coaching and setting incremental challenges build resilience and confidence. Recognising the emotional aspects of problem solving and modelling these behaviours yourself sets standards for the team.

Leaders should provide continuous feedback and encourage trial and error within a safe space, fostering ownership and accountability. Developing cross-functional knowledge broadens perspectives, while leveraging technology can streamline problem-solving processes. Celebrating solutions, adapting coaching styles, and maintaining a long-term perspective nurture a robust problem-solving mindset within the team.

Transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is a hallmark of effective leadership. Shifting perspectives to see problems from different angles can reveal hidden opportunities. Encouraging experimentation without fear of failure spurs creativity. Fostering accountability, leveraging diverse skills, and promoting continuous learning equips the team to face challenges confidently. Celebrating small victories boosts morale, while modelling resilience and utilizing external insights can offer fresh perspectives. Adaptive strategies and fostering collaboration lead to more comprehensive solutions, aligned with organizational goals. Using technology wisely and reflecting on past challenges provide valuable insights for the future, helping build an innovative culture.

By integrating these strategies, emerging leaders can develop strong problem-solving skills within their teams. This ability to navigate complex challenges drives team success, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

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Understanding the Fundamentals of Problem Solving in Leadership

Effective coaching hinges on understanding the basics of problem solving in leadership. Getting these fundamentals right empowers you to guide your team towards innovative solutions and excellence.

Begin by recognizing that not all problems are created equal. Categorize issues into routine and complex. Routine problems can often be addressed with established methods, while complex ones require innovative thinking.

Knowing how to define a problem is crucial. A clear problem statement helps pinpoint the issue, making it easier to find solutions. This involves asking the right questions and gathering relevant data.

Embrace a systematic approach to problem-solving. The process often includes identifying the problem, generating solutions, evaluating these solutions, and then implementing the best one. A step-by-step approach ensures thoroughness and prevents oversight.

Encourage your team to adopt a growth mindset. Leaders should model this approach by viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. This fosters resilience and adaptability within the team.

Facilitate diverse thinking. Different perspectives can lead to more creative solutions. As a leader, create a space where all voices are heard and valued.

Decision-making is a key component of problem-solving. Leaders must weigh options, consider potential risks, and make informed choices. This skill improves with practice and reflection.

Teach your team to use analytical tools. Methods such as SWOT analysis, root cause analysis, and brainstorming sessions can provide structure and clarity. Introduce these tools during coaching sessions to build problem-solving leadership skills among team members.

Promote an environment of collaboration. Problems are often best solved collectively. Encourage team members to share knowledge and leverage each person’s strengths.

Reflect on past problems and solutions. Learning from previous experiences can provide insights that improve future problem-solving efforts. Use case studies and real-world scenarios to illustrate successful strategies.

Emotional intelligence is also crucial. Understanding the emotional dynamics within your team can help you navigate conflicts and foster a supportive environment for problem-solving.

Encourage flexibility and adaptability. The ability to pivot and adjust strategies in response to new information is essential for effective leadership. This readiness to change course can lead to discovering unexpected, innovative solutions.

Emphasize the importance of continuous improvement. Effective leaders don’t just solve problems; they seek to prevent them by refining processes and anticipating challenges.

Developing problem-solving leadership skills is an ongoing journey. The more you practice these fundamentals, the better equipped you’ll be to coach your team towards achieving remarkable results.

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Developing Problem Solving Leadership Skills Through Coaching

Coaching provides a powerful platform for developing problem-solving leadership skills. The role of a leader extends beyond making decisions; it involves guiding others to think critically and solve problems effectively. Here are some practical ways through coaching that can enhance these essential skills:

Foster a culture of inquiry. Encourage curiosity within your team by posing open-ended questions. This stimulates deeper thinking and a broader exploration of potential solutions.

Use real-world scenarios. Ground your coaching sessions in actual problems faced by the team. Discuss the challenges and collaboratively brainstorm potential solutions.

Implement reflective practice. After addressing problems, take time to review the process with your team. Reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and why can provide valuable insights and improve future approaches.

Promote peer coaching. Encourage team members to coach each other. This not only distributes the coaching load but also reinforces problem-solving methods and peer-to-peer learning.

Set incremental challenges. Introduce progressively difficult problems to solve. This helps build confidence and resilience as team members enhance their problem-solving capabilities.

Validate emotional intelligence. Recognize and address the emotional aspects of problem-solving. Understanding team dynamics and emotional responses can lead to more effective and harmonious solutions.

Model problem-solving behaviours. Demonstrate problem-solving techniques yourself. When leaders actively engage in problem-solving, it sets a standard and serves as a live example for the team.

Provide continuous feedback. Constructive feedback helps individuals understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Regular feedback cycles enhance learning and development.

Encourage trial and error. Create a safe space where failure is seen as a learning opportunity. This can lead to more innovative and bold problem-solving approaches.

Develop cross-functional knowledge. Encourage team members to learn from different departments or fields. This broadens their perspective and can lead to more innovative solutions.

Leverage technology and tools. Familiarize your team with analytical tools and software that can aid in solving complex problems. Providing resources can streamline the problem-solving process.

Recognize and celebrate solutions. Acknowledge successful problem-solving efforts. Celebrating wins boosts morale and reinforces the value of creative thinking and persistence.

Adapt coaching styles. Tailor your coaching approach to match the learning styles and personalities of team members. Flexibility in coaching enhances engagement and effectiveness.

Enable autonomy. Empower team members to take initiative in solving problems. Autonomy encourages ownership and accountability, leading to more dedicated problem-solving efforts.

Maintain a long-term perspective. Emphasize that problem-solving skills develop over time. Patience and continuous effort are key to building a robust problem-solving leadership mindset.

By integrating these strategies into your coaching practices, you help develop strong problem-solving leaders within your team. The ability to navigate complex challenges and find effective solutions will not only drive your team's success but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

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Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Growth

Transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is a hallmark of effective problem solving in leadership. Leaders who excel in this area not only address issues head-on, but also use these situations as catalysts for team development and innovation. Here are several ways to transform challenges into growth opportunities:

Shift perspectives : Encourage your team to view challenges from different angles. This can illuminate hidden opportunities and foster a more comprehensive understanding of the problem.

Create a safe space for experimentation : Allow your team to try out new approaches without fear of failure. This encourages creativity and can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

Encourage accountability : Foster a sense of ownership over challenges. When team members feel responsible, they are more likely to invest in finding effective solutions.

Leverage diverse skills : Utilize the unique skills and experiences within your team. Diverse viewpoints can lead to more innovative and robust solutions.

Promote continuous learning : Encourage ongoing education and skill development. Facing challenges becomes less daunting when team members are equipped with a broad and robust skill set.

Celebrate small victories : Acknowledge and celebrate progress, even if it's incremental. This boosts morale and reinforces a culture of continuous improvement.

Model resilience : Demonstrate calm and positive responses to challenges. Your behaviour sets the tone for how the team approaches difficulties.

Utilize external insights : Sometimes, external feedback or a fresh perspective can uncover opportunities that internal team members might overlook.

Implement adaptive strategies : Be flexible in your approach to problem-solving. Adaptability in strategy can lead to discovering more efficient or effective solutions.

Foster collaboration : Encourage team members to work together when solving problems. Collaborative efforts often yield richer and more comprehensive solutions than individual attempts.

Align with goals : Make sure that problem-solving efforts are aligned with broader organizational goals. This ensures that solutions contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Use technology wisely : Leverage appropriate tools and software to aid in problem-solving. Technological support can streamline processes and make tackling challenges more manageable.

Reflect on past challenges : Analyse previous problems and their solutions. Learning from past experiences can provide valuable insights and inform future problem-solving efforts.

Build an innovative culture : Encourage a mindset where innovation is valued and pursued. An innovative culture is more likely to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

Incorporate feedback loops : Establish mechanisms for regular feedback. Continuous feedback helps in adjusting approaches promptly and keeps the team aligned and informed.

These strategies not only enhance problem-solving leadership skills but also prepare teams to turn obstacles into opportunities. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern organizations, the ability to transform challenges into growth is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and fostering an environment where innovation and improvement are the norms.

In conclusion, mastering problem-solving leadership skills is a critical endeavour for emerging leaders. It transcends mere technical prowess, venturing deeply into the realm of effective coaching and team empowerment. Understanding the fundamentals of problem-solving within a leadership context is foundational. Recognizing the different types of problems, defining issues clearly, and adopting a systematic approach are all steps that pave the way for innovative solutions.

In your coaching journey, foster a culture of inquiry and reflective practice, harnessing real-world scenarios and incremental challenges to build resilience. Encourage peer coaching, validate emotional intelligence, and provide continuous, constructive feedback, thus cultivating an environment where problem-solving is not just an activity but a shared ethos.

Furthermore, transforming challenges into growth opportunities requires a shift in perspective. Encourage experimentation, accountability, and collaboration, while also leveraging diverse skills and external insights. Celebrate progress, no matter how incremental, and model resilience through your own behaviour. Align problem-solving efforts with broader organizational goals, and utilize technology strategically to aid in tackling complex issues.

As you develop these problem-solving leadership skills, you aren't merely resolving today's issues; you're laying a solid foundation for continuous improvement and innovation. This journey of mastering problem-solving in leadership is ongoing, demanding patience, practice, and a commitment to creating a dynamic, collaborative team environment. By doing so, you empower your team to navigate challenges adeptly and drive towards excellence, ultimately ensuring organizational success.

In this way, not only do you become a more effective leader, but you also foster a culture where every challenge is seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, and improvement—transforming obstacles into stepping stones towards greater achievements.

Related Articles

Dive into our curated collection of articles on this topic to gain insights and strategies from leading experts in the field, enhancing your ability to lead with confidence and influence.

Mastering Coaching Roles in Tech Leadership - 'Discover the art of coaching in tech leadership: from facilitator to cheerleader, learn to guide teams for success.'

Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Coaching Skills - 'Explore how integrating coaching skills into leadership can foster team autonomy, growth, and innovation. '

Leadership & Coaching: Navigating Challenges - Discover key strategies for navigating challenges in coaching sessions, fostering growth and creating a positive coaching environment for leaders.

Maximizing Leadership Potential with Coaching: A Strategic Approach - Explore how integrating coaching into leadership enhances team communication, engagement, and problem-solving for transformative results.

Evaluating Leadership Coaching: Unlock Team Potential - Discover how evaluating coaching effectiveness in leadership can transform team potential into success. Empower growth and achieve organizational goals.

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6 Leadership Skills That Will Have You Solving Problems Like a Pro

How do you react to a business problem you've never encountered before the way you do it impacts your team, and your company's future..

The road to success, just like life, is paved with obstacles and difficulties. All truly successful entrepreneurs had just as many problems as successes. Many of the entrepreneurs I talk to say it sometimes seems like they spend more time coming up with workarounds and repairing damage than growing their business. Even as companies grow, leaders are often prized for their grace under pressure . This is because the pressure doesn't stop, even if you have a product that is making your company millions of dollars a month.

If you're a business owner, it's important to learn to solve problems , whether you're a one-person operation or you have a large team. Scott Gatz, CEO of LGBTQ publisher Q.Digital, says problem solving can be daunting because entrepreneurs often don't have the experience to know what to do when difficulties occur.

"The most important thing is to not let that paralyze you. There is always a way and there is almost never a perfect 'right' answer. Knowing that frees you to ask 'dumb questions' and come up with 'crazy ideas.' Inevitably one of those ideas might turn out to be the 'right' one after all."

By looking at the techniques of successful entrepreneurs, business leaders can learn to better tackle their own challenges. Here's some of the key skills that can help you solve problems effectively.

Professionalism at All Times

The best leaders never lose their cool, even when it seems as though there is every reason to panic. This is especially important once you begin to build a team. Your employees will look to you to set the example. When you're calm , they'll tend to remain calm, as well. Most importantly, by remaining professional no matter what happens, you'll earn everyone's respect, from your clients to your valued team members.

Big-Picture Thinking

A successful entrepreneur always keeps an eye on the big picture, running everything through the filter of how it will help achieve the business's mission. It can be too easy to get caught up in the small things that come up each day, not thinking beyond the current crisis. It's important for entrepreneurs to address issues and move on, instead of obsessing over the small things, says Scott Swanson, CEO of mobile marketing company Aki Technologies.

"With so little time, an entrepreneur must focus efforts on solving the 20% of issues that cause 80% of the problems and let the rest go. You cannot solve all the problems. There isn't enough time."

If you are stressing about the issue of the day, consider how it will impact your business long term. You may decide to adjust your approach to problems so that it furthers the future success of your business, rather than merely putting out fires and thinking short term.

Avoid Finger-Pointing

When a problem first emerges, it's easy to get caught up in the blame game . You could waste hours trying to identify the team member who made an error that led to your current problem. However, your time will be much more productively spent working with your team to find a solution. Instead of berating your staff and delivering a blow to morale, going into problem-solving mode can make your workers feel as though they helped repair the damage, which will increase employee engagement .

Collect Data

Technology has given businesses the power to generate volumes of data on almost every aspect of their organization. It's been particularly valuable as a way to identify customer behavior . Today's effective problem solving means being able to gather as many facts as possible and putting those facts to use in coming up with a solution. Leaders who merely make guesses won't rise above the competition, since other organizations will use data-based troubleshooting methods.

Be Positive

Dwelling on the negative will only bring down morale. Instead, be the type of leader who sees problems as "opportunities" and focus on the positive aspects of working through the issue. If you have a staff, bring groups of people in for a brainstorming session . An effective leader doesn't just work through problems alone. If you see it as an opportunity to open the lines of communication and make your team a part of the solution, you'll likely find that your entire business benefits as a result.

Monitoring Results

The best way to grow as a leader is to pay close attention to what results from any decisions that are made. This helps you move forward, equipped with the information you need to run your business in the future. When you know the cause of the problem and what resolved it, you'll also be better able to come up with ways to prevent it repeating in the future.

Leadership means dealing with the day-to-day operations of a business, as well as working toward growing and adding new income. When you can gracefully deal with the challenges you face along the way, you'll be more likely to boost your team morale, which usually translates into happier clients, and more revenue.

A refreshed look at leadership from the desk of CEO and chief content officer Stephanie Mehta

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Key Leadership Skills & Competencies Examples

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: December 22, 2023

You found our list of key leadership skills & competencies .

Leadership skills are abilities that help professionals guide teams, projects, and organizations. For example, decision-making, empathy, and delegation. The purpose of these traits is to identify capable leaders and put the right professionals in positions of power. These skills are also known as “leadership competencies” and “leadership qualities.”

These skills are similar to leadership qualities . Many of these traits overlap with executive skills , HR skills and team management skills . Professionals can improve these skills by reading books on leadership , leadership books by women and doing leadership activities .

This article includes:

• people leadership skills examples
• leadership competencies
• leadership qualities
• skills of a leader
• examples of leadership skills
• team leader skills
• leader skills
• leadership strengths
• top leadership skills

List of leadership skills

Here is a list of leadership competencies that help professionals manage teams and excel at work.

1. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is one of the most important leadership soft skills. Leaders deal with a variety of sensitive and stressful situations, and need good judgment to be able to operate appropriately in such circumstances. Understanding what employees might be thinking or feeling in certain situations helps managers make decisions that support the staff. These leaders are less likely to alienate employees and likelier to connect more deeply with team members.

Leaders who can read emotions and predict potential reactions can keep employee morale high and avoid many workplace conflicts. Plus, these bosses can react in realtime and change tactics mid conversation, for instance if they notice team members withdrawing from conversation or displaying guarded body language. These skills help leaders de-escalate tension and detect issues within the department. Also, emotional intelligence simply helps leaders get along better with staff and foster greater levels of trust.

2. Relationship Building

Relationship building is one of the most essential traits of good leaders. To gain a leadership position, a professional should show an aptitude for getting along with others. Leaders interact and work with a wide variety of people, from the team they manage, to higher-ups, to fellow managers and collaborating departments, to clients and vendors. To do the job effectively, leaders must know how to connect and communicate with these different groups and individuals. The relationship between supervisor and supervisees is especially important, as leaders can only develop their reports through positive rapport and repeated contact.

Beyond making 1:1 connections, leaders must also know how to foster relationships between team members. Leaders unite team members around a common vision and shared goals, and keep those bonds strong by nurturing communication and respect among the group. To achieve harmony and cooperation, leaders must know how to build and maintain group ties.

Here is a  list of relationship building activities and ideas for team building leaders .

We also have a guide to collaborative leadership .

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• icebreaker games
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3. Problem Solving

Problem solving is one of the most essential leadership skills. Leaders spend a significant amount of time putting out fires and solving issues for customers, the company, and the team. Leaders are the ones colleagues look to for advice and help, and often have the final say on the course of action.

These individuals need to know how to think outside of the box, imagine new solutions, predict consequences, and test out theories in low-risk ways. This quality separates leaders from the rest of the workforce. Even without an official title, leaders come to coworkers’ aid, brainstorm, and try to come up with fixes to issues and better ways of operating.

These individuals also need to know how to solve problems in group settings, since modern work revolves around collaboration. More input means a greater variety of ideas, and a leader should know how to choose the best ideas from the bunch. Leaders should also learn how to guide teammates through the problem solving process instead of automatically fixing every issue that arises. This approach helps teams be more skilled and self-sufficient.

Check out this list of books on problem solving , and this list of problem solving games .

4. Decision Making

Leaders make many decisions. Often, these individuals have the final say on tough calls, and many times, need to choose a path with imperfect or incomplete information. These decisions tend to involve large budgets or affect operations or employees.

Great leaders have the confidence and competence to make sound decisions quickly. These managers know when to wait for more intel, how to get more insight, and how to evaluate choices and pick the best option.

Great decision-makers are able to predict consequences and complications, and can prepare for best and worst-case scenarios. These leaders also can explain and defend their decisions to higher ups, their own teams, and other departments, and know how to get others onboard with the plan.

Here is a list of books on decision making .

5. Persuasion

Persuasion is the difference between managers vs leaders. Managers get team members to follow orders, yet leaders get team members to believe and buy into a vision. It is important for leaders to be able to convey the importance of a mission. Persuasion is essential to getting colleagues to join a cause. Great leaders can express the importance of the mission and make team members believe in leadership and themselves. Persuasion sparks passion. The most skilled leaders not only convince team members to cooperate, but inspire these teammates to collaborate. When these individuals win their peers’ confidence, coworkers question their decisions less and follow on instinct. These folks are able to earn trust by showing colleagues that the plan is in their best interests.

Persuasion is an especially useful skill for up-and-coming leaders. Since these professionals do not have a track record of experience and success to prove their prowess, they must convince their bosses and reports to believe in and take a chance on them.

Leaders must get buy-in from stakeholders, and should know how to persuade different parties and how to alter the approach to fit the situation and individual.

6. Coaching

The ability and willingness to lift others up is one of the most outstanding qualities of good leaders. Less experienced managers often make the mistake of rushing in to solve supervisees’ problems instead of teaching them, or focusing only on their own performance and metrics instead of empowering others. Great leaders know they have a responsibility to help those around them become the best version of themselves. These individuals have a knack for coaching and helping colleagues reach their true potential. Such leaders know how to guide team members towards a solution without outright giving the answer, spark thought, provide encouragement, and motivate the team. These habits start even before these folks become managers, as they regularly encourage and help their peers.

Here is a list of books on coaching .

7. Compromise

Most folks think of leaders as the head of the chain of command. In reality, leaders are less on top and more in the middle. No leader has complete authority or control. Even presidents and CEOs must bend to outside forces such as investors and board members, market and global conditions, the industry at large, and the public.

Leaders constantly find themselves in situations where they must broker deals between parties and find best interest solutions all around. Compromise is an essential management skill to master. Leaders must know how to delegate between competing interests and navigate conflicts in ways that satisfy all involved parties. These leaders learn how to present arguments, moderate discussions, brainstorm solutions, and get parties in agreement. Finding a perfect fix is a rare occurrence, and skilled compromisers know how to find middle ground. These individuals know when to negotiate more and when to settle, and how to find solutions that serve all stakeholders.

8. Delegation

Leaders who do everything by themselves are not really leaders. By definition, leaders lead, which means assigning tasks and guiding teams. Delegation is one of the most critical leadership competencies. Great leaders know how to split, balance, and re-balance workloads so that no team members are overwhelmed, and tasks get completed on schedule. These folks know the right time to hand off tasks and the right people to give those jobs to.

Distributing the workload is a large part of leadership, as well as monitoring the team to ensure no member is overloaded or headed for burnout. Skillful leaders know how to split up the work and present assignments in ways likely to be accepted. These folks also know how to give up control, trust team members, and let their people do their jobs instead of trying to handle the whole project alone and causing bottlenecks.

9. Time Management

A leader’s time is in high demand, and their to-do-lists often seem never-ending. A good sense of time management is critical for professionals in charge of important projects, tasks, or teams. These individuals know how to structure the workday, estimate projects, keep meetings on track, meet deadlines, and keep their schedule from ballooning. Pros are able to limit the time spent on tasks, and have a sense of urgency that helps them prioritize.

Great leaders also have a sense of how the team spends time. These managers make sure that team members spend their hours productively, and make changes or suggestions to improve processes and make systems more efficient.

Here is a list of the best time management tips , list of time management books and a roundup of time tracking tools to help organize the hours.

10. Organization

In theory, leaders could outsource all organizational tasks to assistants and direct reports. In reality, no one wants to work under these kinds of leaders. Working for a messy manager is rarely fun. Scattered bosses add unnecessary stress to the workday, and make it hard for teammates to trust or rely upon them. Disorganized leaders can cause confusion and make extra work for employees. Not to mention, the leader sets an example for the rest of the team, and disorganization sends the message that sloppy work is ok.

Offloading tasks is a form of organization in itself. It is fine for leaders to delegate and rely upon assistants and teammates to keep order, however leaders should have a firm grasp on their schedules and surroundings. Solid organizational skills and good systems provide structure and help teammates focus their time and energy on higher level tasks instead of busywork.

Here is a list of executive assistant tools that can help you stay organized.

11. Boundary-setting

Boundary-setting is one of the most overlooked leadership competencies. It is important for leaders to be able to set limits and strike balance in many areas, such as with their time. Hours can stack up, and managers who take on too many responsibilities and make themselves ever-available to employees can find themselves constantly working and headed for burnout. On the flip side, leaders who are not generous enough with their time can run into performance and relationship problems with staff.

Perhaps most importantly, leaders must have professional boundaries. Leaders aim to develop positive relationships and be friendly with employees, however should keep the right amount of distance to promote a level of authority and respect. Leaders should also have ethical boundaries, and not allow themselves or their employees to get pressured into behaviors that go against personal beliefs or moral norms.

12. Presentation Skills

According to The Harvard Business Review , the average executive spends 23 hours per week in meetings. More often than not, leaders are the ones running those meetings, or at the very least, delivering reports and updates during some portion of the call. Leaders find themselves in front of groups often, and must have solid presentation skills. These competencies include the ability to structure and plan meetings, public speaking skills, and familiarity with tools and equipment. Not to mention, improv skills and the ability to remain unflustered when faced with surprises such as technical issues or unexpected questions.

Good presenters must also be able to distill large amounts of information into the most important highlights and hold the audience’s attention. Presenters may also moderate discussion between attendees. Presentation requires a combination of salesmanship and showmanship that keeps audiences engaged, and great leaders are masters of these practices.

13. Active Listening

Active listening is an important skill for leaders to master. Being the distracted boss who repeatedly asks staff the same questions does not send the message that the manager cares about employees’ opinions. Plus, leaders receive large amounts of information every day, and need to process the data quickly to avoid missing important details. Skillful leaders know how to filter conversations to mine out the most important points and can ask thoughtful and relevant follow-up questions. These leaders understand that listening is a visual art that involves giving cues that show interest and engagement and encourage the speaker.

14. Empathy

Empathy is one of the key skills for leaders. Leaders make decisions that affect workers, and understanding employees’ different viewpoints and experiences helps leaders better serve the staff. The effects of these decisions go beyond immediate wins and benefit the organization in the long run, for instance, by inspiring staff loyalty and reducing turnover rates.

This quality can also help leaders identify and solve issues more quickly. Bosses who are sensitive and in-tune with employees’ needs and feelings can pick up on trouble and get to the root of problems much more easily. Plus, empathy makes for a better working environment overall. Workers want to feel seen, valued, and supported. Leaders who make efforts to empathize with employees create atmospheres where teammates can be their full selves at work.

Here is a list of ways to increase empathy at work .

15. Multitasking

Few leaders have the luxury to work on one task at a time. Leaders typically have to juggle multiple responsibilities at once, such as attending meetings, updating executives, managing teammates, assigning projects, de-escalating conflicts, and keeping up with documentation. Often, leaders have to quickly switch between tasks, sometimes unexpectedly. These folks are master multitaskers that give full focus and attention to tasks, yet can seamlessly shift attention between subjects. Prioritization is key to this practice, and these individuals are able to mentally reorganize to-do lists constantly. This type of leader rarely gets lost or overwhelmed, and manages to complete tasks on time despite fluctuations in the workload.

Many experts insist that laser-sharp-focus is the quality that separates leaders from the general workforce. Leaders have the determination and commitment to pursue goals to completion. These professionals can hone in on priorities, give important tasks full attention, and work until they achieve the objective. Great leaders possess strong self-discipline on an individual level, and also have a solid sense of focus in terms of the wider team and department. Focus is the compass that helps leaders guide their people towards the right results.

Here is a list of books on focus .

17. Learning

Despite the air of authority, leaders do not know everything. In fact, leaders, more than anyone, need to keep learning. The world changes fast, and new information comes to light constantly. To make informed decisions, leaders must stay up-to-date on conditions and trends. Leaders are also sources of knowledge and guidance for colleagues and learning a new skill or subject gives the entire team access to new information and abilities. The best leaders are avid readers, lifelong students, and frequent fliers at trainings, leadership conferences , and educational events.

The most successful leaders are eager students and are able to pick up new knowledge and skills quickly.

18. Discretion

Leaders have access to a large amount of sensitive information, from details about employees’ personal situations to trade secrets to upcoming company announcements and plans. Professionals in positions of power need to possess discretion and be able to determine what information is ok to pass along and what should stay top secret. Successful leaders must strike a balance between keeping secrets and keeping the team informed. These folks are trustworthy and know how to handle confidential topics. Also, these leaders act with tact and sense which subjects to avoid even when not explicitly told.

19. Planning and strategizing

Leaders choose the direction for the team, and occasionally the entire department or organization. It is important for leaders to align projects and work with the goal of the business. While the general workforce tends to focus more on independent tasks and immediate results, leaders need to employ more interconnected and long-term thinking. These individuals select desired outcomes and plan steps to help the team arrive at this goal.

Great leaders give guidance and structure and ensure that teammates’ work adds up to more than the sum of its parts. These managers have a thorough understanding of the probable outcomes and determining elements, and can create a roadmap that gets teammates from point A to point B. The best leaders are also able to recognize when strategies are no longer effective and draft new plans.

Here is a list of books on business strategy .

20. Emotional Regulation

Leaders need to know how to stay calm. Employees look to leaders for social cues. When leaders stay calm, the team stays calm, and if the leader is optimistic then the team tends to be as well. In reality, managers often face crises and understandable stress. Leaders need to know how to process and overcome difficult emotions, ignore overreactions, and keep a clear, logical head even amongst chaos. For these reasons, emotional regulation is one of the most valuable skills for leaders to possess. Bosses who are in control of their thoughts and feelings anchor the team and give teammates the strength and support needed to perform.

21. Instruction

Instruction is one of the most important leadership communication skills. It is important for leaders to be able to clearly express ideas and explain complex concepts in simple ways. Many managers mistakenly assume that teammates can read their minds and guess their intentions. Skilled leaders check for understanding before moving on, and never make their colleagues feel stupid for asking a question. Giving direction is a deceptively tricky skill to master. The best leaders get a feel for how much can be left unsaid and which points to stress when giving instructions, and can get the desired results from teammates without further explanation.

22. Conflict resolution

Leaders often have to be mediators. There are bound to be clashes of personalities, opinions, and interests, and it is the job of leaders to guide involved parties towards peaceful resolution. Good leaders understand that conflict is part of the team development process, and have skills, strategies, and tactics to navigate disagreements effectively. While “getting along” does fall partly on employees, the leader is ultimately responsible for achieving harmony. Great leaders have the know-how to keep tensions at a minimum, address issues swiftly and skillfully, and gain alignment and agreement.

Here is a list of conflict resolution activities and a list of books on conflict resolution .

23. Toughness and resilience

Leaders should be flexible yet firm. Bosses need empathy, yet also need strength and a willingness to push against opponents or confront teammates. Many individuals mistakenly assume that bosses need to choose between being a tyrant or a pushover. The best leaders fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum and act with a mix of kindness and firmness. These individuals do not let themselves or their teams get taken advantage of, yet also are willing to show softness and compassion.

Leaders are subject to a great deal of adversity and also need resilience and internal steadfastness to ride out challenges and regulate stress.

Final Thoughts

Promotions do not make leaders, skills and attitudes do. Perhaps the greatest trait an aspiring leader can possess is the willingness and ability to reflect, learn, and improve. If these qualities are present, then professionals can develop any skill. The idea of a “born leader” is mostly a myth. Even folks with natural leadership tendencies make mistakes and have to adapt and improve to remain on top of their game. The important question to ask is not whether or not an individual is a good leader, but rather what qualities can that person work on to become an even better leader.

Next, check out this list of CEO books , these virtual leadership ideas and this guide to management and leadership .

We also have a list of examples of good leaders .

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FAQ: Leadership skills

Here are answers to common questions about leadership skills.

What are leadership competencies?

Leadership competencies are traits and abilities that signal that a professional is good at guiding groups. These skills require development and practice. Some folks have more of a natural knack for leadership than others, but experience and mindfulness help leaders perfect the art. Managers do not automatically obtain leadership skills upon receiving a promotion, and many workers show leadership potential without having a title.

What are the most important leadership skills?

The most important leadership skills include problem solving, decision making, empathy, planning and strategizing, presentation skills, multitasking, and emotional regulation.

How do you develop leadership skills?

The best way to develop leadership skills is to tackle new responsibilities on the job. You do not need a manager position to become a better leader. No matter what your role, you can sharpen your skills by taking initiative, moving beyond your comfort zone, trying out new tactics and tasks, and asking for feedback on your performance. By seeking out opportunities and challenges, you can gain experience and improve your abilities.

How do you improve leadership skills in the workplace?

The best way to improve leadership skills in the workplace is to offer employees leadership training and skills coaching. Many organizations promote managers without offering formal training and development. Rather than subjecting supervisors to trial by fire and dealing with the fallout of avoidable failures, it is better to identify leadership potential in employees and nurture those skills gradually. Teaching workers to be leaders makes management transitions flow more smoothly. Plus, these lessons can help all employees, not just the ones who want to be bosses. Skills like empathy, organization, and conflict resolution are helpful in many work situations beyond management.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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8 Essential Leadership Communication Skills

• 14 Nov 2019

If you want to be an effective leader , you need to excel in communication. In fact, the success of your business relies on it.

According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (pdf) , poor communication can lead to low morale, missed performance goals, and even lost sales. A separate study found that inadequate communication can cost large companies an average of $64.2 million per year, while smaller organizations are at risk of losing $420,000 annually.

But effective communication impacts more than just the bottom line. For leaders, it’s what enables them to rally their team around a shared vision, empower employees , build trust, and successfully navigate organizational change .

Why Is Communication Important in Leadership?

A leader is someone who inspires positive, incremental change by empowering those around them to work toward common objectives. A leader’s most powerful tool for doing so is communication.

Effective communication is vital to gain trust, align efforts in the pursuit of goals, and inspire positive change. When communication is lacking, important information can be misinterpreted, causing relationships to suffer and, ultimately, creating barriers that hinder progress.

If you’re interested in enhancing your leadership capabilities, here are eight communication skills you need to be more effective in your role.

Essential Communication Skills for Leaders

1. ability to adapt your communication style.

Different communication styles are the most frequently cited cause of poor communication, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (pdf) , and can lead to more significant issues, such as unclear priorities and increased stress.

It’s essential to identify your leadership style , so that you can better understand how you’re interacting with, and perceived by, employees across the organization. For example, if you’re an authoritative leader , you likely have a clear vision for achieving success and align your team accordingly. While an effective approach for some, it might fall flat for others who seek more autonomy in their role.

Every employee’s motivations are different, so knowing how to tailor your communication is essential to influencing others and reaching organizational goals.

Related: 4 Tips for Developing Your Personal Leadership Style

2. Active Listening

Effective leaders know when they need to talk and, more importantly, when they need to listen. Show that you care by asking for employees’ opinions, ideas, and feedback. And when they do share, actively engage in the conversation—pose questions, invite them to elaborate, and take notes.

It’s important to stay in the moment and avoid interrupting. Keep your focus on the employee and what it is they’re saying. To achieve that, you also need to eliminate any distractions, including constant pings on your cell phone or checking incoming emails.

3. Transparency

In a survey by the American Management Association , more than a third of senior managers, executives, and employees said they “hardly ever” know what’s going on in their organizations. Transparency can go a long way in breaking down that communication barrier.

By speaking openly about the company’s goals, opportunities, and challenges, leaders can build trust amongst their team and foster an environment where employees feel empowered to share their ideas and collaborate. Just acknowledging mistakes can encourage experimentation and create a safe space for active problem-solving.

Every individual should understand the role they play in the company’s success. The more transparent leaders are, the easier it is for employees to make that connection.

When communicating with employees, speak in specifics. Define the desired result of a project or strategic initiative and be clear about what you want to see achieved by the end of each milestone. If goals aren’t being met, try simplifying your message further or ask how you can provide additional clarity or help.

The more clear you are, the less confusion there will be around priorities. Employees will know what they’re working toward and feel more engaged in the process.

5. Ability to Ask Open-Ended Questions

If you want to understand employees’ motivations, thoughts, and goals better, practice asking open-ended questions. Jennifer Currence, president of consulting firm The Currence Group, said to the Society of Human Resource Management to use the acronym TED, which stands for:

• “ T ell me more.”
• “ E xplain what you mean.”
• “ D efine that term or concept for me.”

By leveraging those phrases when speaking with your team, you can elicit more thoughtful, thorough responses and ensure you also have clarity around what they need from you to succeed.

There’s a reason empathy has been ranked the top leadership skill needed for success . The better you get at acknowledging and understanding employees’ feelings and experiences, the more heard and valued they’ll feel.

In a recent survey (pdf) , 96 percent of respondents said it was important for their employers to demonstrate empathy, yet 92 percent claimed it remains undervalued. If you want to improve your communication and build a stronger, more productive culture, practice responding with empathy.

Related: Emotional Intelligence Skills: What They Are & How to Develop Them

7. Open Body Language

Communication isn’t just what you say; it’s how you carry yourself. Ninety-three percent of communication’s impact comes from nonverbal cues, according to executive coach Darlene Price .

To ensure you’re conveying the right message, focus on your body language. If you’re trying to inspire someone, talking with clenched fists and a furrowed brow isn’t going to send the right message. Instead, make eye contact to establish interest and rapport and flash a genuine smile to convey warmth and trust.

8. Receiving and Implementing Feedback

Asking for feedback from your team can not only help you grow as a leader, but build trust among your colleagues. It’s critical, though, that you don’t just listen to the feedback. You also need to act on it.

If you continue to receive feedback from your team, but don’t implement any changes, they’re going to lose faith in your ability to follow through. It’s likely there will be comments you can’t immediately act on—be transparent about that. By letting your employees know they were heard and then apprising them of any progress you can, or do, make, they’ll feel as though you value their perspective and are serious about improving.

Related: How to Give Feedback Effectively

Improving Your Leadership Communication

Communication is at the core of effective leadership. If you want to influence and inspire your team, you need to practice empathy and transparency, and understand how others perceive you, through your verbal and non-verbal cues.

To improve your communication skills and become a better leader, begin by assessing your effectiveness so you can identify areas for improvement. Then, set goals and hold yourself accountable by creating a leadership development plan to guide and track your progress.

Do you want to enhance your leadership skills? Download our free leadership e-book and explore our online course Leadership Principles to discover how you can become a more effective leader and unleash the potential in yourself and others.

(This post was updated on June 16, 2020. It was originally published on November 14, 2019.)

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The most important leadership skill you probably never learned.

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Despite being fundamental to effective leadership, recruiting future leaders with adequate ... [+] problem-solving skills is surprisingly difficult.

Complex problem solving is an essential leadership skill. Leadership consultancy Zenger Folkman recently surveyed over 300,000 managers and found it was the second most-important competency for effective leadership (next to inspiring and motivating others). The 2016 OECD Survey of Adult Skills showed that complex problem-solving is critical for fast-growing, highly skilled managerial occupations. Company recruiters polled last year by the Financial Times consistently rank the ability to solve complex problems among the five most important skills of MBA graduates.

Yet, d espite being fundamental to effective leadership, recruiting future leaders with adequate problem-solving skills is surprisingly difficult. In surveying organizations that hire MBA graduates, Bloomberg Businessweek found that the second-biggest skill gap recruiters faced was with candidates’ creative problem-solving skills. Another survey of company recruiters showed the biggest skill gap in new college graduates was in problem solving and critical thinking.

Technology To The Rescue? Not Likely

Organizations need effective problem solvers, but they’re telling us our business schools and universities are failing to meet this need. Such training is critical because, for most of us, problem solving doesn’t come naturally. Research shows a host of pitfalls trip us up: we’re quick to believe we understand a situation and jump to a flawed solution. We seek to confirm our hypotheses about solutions and ignore conflicting evidence. We view challenges incompletely through the frameworks we know instead of with a fresh pair of eyes. And when we communicate our recommendations, we forget our reasoning isn’t obvious to our audience.

Technology is unlikely to remedy the situation anytime soon, if ever. M ost analysts believe the rise of artificial intelligence and other new technologies are likely to place an even bigger premium on human problem solving. For example, the World Economic Forum predicts that 36 percent of all jobs across all industries will require complex problem solving as one of their core skills by 2020—by far the most important skill identified in the study.

A Management Consultant’s Raison D’être

What can be done to close the problem-solving skill gap facing leaders and their organizations?

One place to look for inspiration is an industry that exists to solve some of the most difficult problems organizations face – management consulting. In fact, the lack of problem-solving skills in corporations can help explain why so many of them rely on consultants.

For a management consultant, solving problems that are outside of the day-to-day job of their clients is the day-to-day job. Consulting firms, such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain, exist to solve business problems and convince clients to act on their recommendations. McKinsey, for example, employs some 10,000 consultants globally and hires around 3,000 rookies every year, and views problem-solving as the most important skill for success in the firm.

Transforming Rookies Into Professional Problem Solvers

Consulting firms therefore take problem-solving skills very seriously. Hiring teams strive to assess the problem-solving skills of applicants using anxiety-inducing “case interviews,” in which bright young candidates must demonstrate their analytical prowess.

But raw intellectual horsepower isn’t the only ingredient. S trategy firms turn rookies into trusted advisors partly by teaching them structured and robust problem-solving techniques. These include deductive, top-down analytical approaches such as issues trees and hypothesis pyramids, and inductive, bottom-up approaches associated with design thinking. The rapid succession of client engagements presents new consultants with challenging problems on which to hone their skills. The best firms provide a combination of formal training and on-the-job coaching to raise the problem-solving game of their staff.

The focus of consulting firms on equipping their professionals with structured methods for solving complex problems doesn’t just reflect the tried and tested wisdom of practitioners. The value of such approaches is also supported by research in cognitive and industrial psychology. When we face non-routine, complex business problems, we need reasoning skills that apply across domains of knowledge. We also need to harness expertise and intelligence and overcome our powerful temptation to jump to ill-informed solutions. Research shows that a disciplined problem-solving method along with a set of tools for each step of the process can greatly increase the quality of solutions. While the idea of a structured and generalizable problem-solving process may not sound exciting , the guidance and discipline it provides can give leaders the confidence and ability to crack the problems that matter most to their organizations.

Business Schools Step Into The Breach

This realization has recently led business schools like HEC Paris to create problem-solving and communications courses and the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University to develop an integrative, problem-focused MBA core curriculum . We have taken an active role in these efforts, as well as co-authoring the forthcoming book Cracked it! How to Solve Big Problems and Sell Solutions Like Top Strategy Consultants (Palgrave MacMillan). This experience has taught us that problem-solving methods can be successfully taught and applied outside of consulting – provided they are adequately adapted to suit the needs of managers.

Like all skills, problem solving cannot be learned simply by taking a class or reading a book. It requires practice (ideally in teams) and greatly benefits from feedback and coaching. But, like all skills, its fundamentals can be learned. It’s time to make teaching them a core part of management and business schools’ curricula.

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