71 | Own the Thinking Process, Not the Thinking: How Leaders Build Problem-Solving Capability

Caring becomes carrying.It happens so naturally we rarely notice it. Someone brings us a problem. We care. We want to help. And somewhere in that desire to help, without meaning to, we take on the weight of solving it ourselves.That shift is subtle. And costly.Because the moment you take ownership of the thinking, you take away the very capability you're trying to build.In this episode, I explore a critical shift in change leadership: how to hold the thinking process so others can solve their own problems — without taking on their work as your own.Your value as a leader isn't in having the answer. It's in creating the conditions where others can think, test, and learn. When you want to create empowered problem-solving in your organization, stepping back is stepping up.You'll Learn:How to notice when you've shifted from supporting someone's thinking to carrying their problemWhy redirecting your focus from the problem to the person working through it changes everything about how you coachHow to use a simple problem solving structure (Target, Actual, Gap) to anchor your questions and keep ownership where it belongsHow to stay present to how someone is thinking instead of jumping ahead to solutionsHow to choose intentionally when to step in with direction — and when to step back to build capabilityIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/71 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:00:40 The subtle shift from caring to carrying problem solving03:35 Realization of owning the process of solving the problem04:39 What gets in the way of intentions to be helpful05:27 Why problem solving and problem solving coaching are two different skills05:50 How to stay focused on the thinking process and keep from sliding back into the problem itself06:42 How to anchor questions around a structured problem solving flow08:11 The mantra, “Target, Actual gap, Please explain,” to identify the real problem before jumping to solutions09:13 Benefit of assigning a problem for a team member to solve10:56 The identity shift from having all the answers to holding the process12:28 One way to notice if you have a telling habit14:41 Why you should avoid defaulting to giving the answer and ask questions to understand the problem first16:59 The meaning of intention = heart + direction to coach with the right motives17:21 Three steps to coach with intention:17:25 [ONE] Take an intention pause17:45 [TWO] Choose the behaviors that align with that impact18:08 [THREE] Reflect and learn your way forward19:15 Positive result from leading by asking questions that helped team gain confidence21:41 Three reflection questions before you go into your next coaching conversation