Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Nov 24, 2019 6:00 AM
Replying to Luis Branco
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Dear Thomas
This is a possible read for the situation: "If you ask them to bring solutions this is not servant leadership but top down command and control, showing a lack of respect and treating them as underlings. They are not kids but - hopefully - more knowledgable and skilled about the subject matter than yourself. "
But there are others
Luis
The only situation when this behavior is acceptable is a teaching or coaching scenario. Saving Changes...
Easy to complain, easy to highlight problems; as a professional, anyone can do that. It takes initiative and forethought to assemble and propose a solution along with the problem.
Just because something is considered cliche, doesn't mean it's bad, mundane, or untrue. Possibly, it became that way because it's viable.
Agreed Andrew. I want my kids to not always focus on problems, but work on solutions. It begins at home with small little issues that they argue over. A good breeding ground for future teamwork :-) Saving Changes...
Levi MoralesMr.| Ingenieros Civiles Asociados S.A. de C.V.Mexico, Df, Mexico
Suzi,
In my opinion depends on context. If it is said as a way to encourage the subordinate to look for solutions and improve, it is valid; finally a project manager is responsible of results. But if it is said because of anger or to make the subordinate feel bad, it doesn't help to improve his/her performance.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Suzi
This attitude is a two way sword:
If used with good will and intention, it can boost creativity and boost employees confidence but it is said out of ego and arrogance then it can be detrimental to employees and drill down their morale.
Dear Suzi: Interesting your question Thanks for sharing
If you bring me a problem please give me at least one solution (it's another version of the sentence)
What do you prefer? Scenario 1 - I don't pay you to think, but to execute Scenario 2 - I pay you to think, so bring me solutions
I, as a thinking person, like to use gray matter to think about solutions.
In my opinion is the least I can do as a professional
Just as important as finding solutions is finding solutions together.
Luis
The way you put it eases me much. But, in a troublesome situation, managers confront and say this "Don't bring me problems bring me solutions". At that moment, everyone is worried and things happen negatively.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Nov 25, 2019 4:17 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Muthukrishnan
Thanks for your comment
Conflict in projects is a reality that we must always keep in mind
And the way we approach conflict can be more or less effective.
Even the solution (s) we propose can be a source of conflict :-)
As a principle I propose to use the approach: "Focus on solutions instead of problems"
Moreover, in my opinion, it is a more constructive approach
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Nov 24, 2019 8:58 PM
Replying to Muthukrishnan Ramakrishnan
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Luis
The way you put it eases me much. But, in a troublesome situation, managers confront and say this "Don't bring me problems bring me solutions". At that moment, everyone is worried and things happen negatively.
Dear Muthukrishnan
Thanks for your comment
Conflict in projects is a reality that we must always keep in mind
And the way we approach conflict can be more or less effective.
Even the solution (s) we propose can be a source of conflict :-)
As a principle I propose to use the approach: "Focus on solutions instead of problems"
Moreover, in my opinion, it is a more constructive approach Saving Changes...
Karl TwortSenior Project Manager| Fresh EggUnited Kingdom
If we don't bring problems to the table when they arise, then we are unable to even start thinking about solutions.
I have had this very discussion with management before - my response was to highlight that I have brought awareness of a problem but we are of course in the process of defining a solution.
As a PM, there is a skill in presenting "bad news" in a way that gives confidence to team members and superiors alike that we are in the process of finding a solution. Early flagging of any issue is important for open communication. We can't always have a solution at this stage of an investigation, but we can advise those around us of the steps we are taking to find one. Saving Changes...
RAJON BANERJEEKalyani, District: Nadia, West Bengal, India
Hi,
An interesting question!!
By go through this I realize how we can often listen this sentence.
Scenario 1: Very Positive.
Scenario 2: Negative/Partial negative.
Scenario 1: Manager want to realize the problem solving skill of a particular team member to promote him/her in next position. Or he/she want to monitor how competent his/her team member is. It's quite correct scenario if we think like that.
Scenario 2: Negative thinking is that how a manager giving verbal communication like that. If we assume that this team is not so much experienced to deal with real circumstances.
Now, question lies at the point which is which level of manager can deliver this such kind of communication?
Because, I thought a very senior/experienced level manager can't deliver this communication like that. It may be he/she is beginner/mid level manager. Or the question can come what is the way of this manager leadership styles.
However, we can think it positive way. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Managers should recognize that they don't have all the answers, and they should empower their employees. From that perspective, "bring me solutions" is perfectly acceptable, although it may need to be phrased more carefully.
But any team working on real world scenarios is going to encounter real issues that need escalation or outside assistance. If they can't bring these issues to their manager until they have solutions, they'll simply lie at the next status update. This is the problem with the "Don't bring me problems" part of that statement.
It's ok to not have all the answers, whether you're the boss or the employee. It's not ok to stifle communication. Saving Changes...
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