From Problem Solver to Empowering Leader: Making the Transition from Individual Contributor to Executive
As an executive, you’ve reached a place where you’re no longer in the weeds of daily operations—you’re at the top, setting the vision and guiding the direction. But that doesn’t mean your old habits—like stepping into every problem or firefighting every issue—should go away. For many leaders, the temptation to remain the go-to problem-solver can be strong. It feels natural, familiar, and in some ways, necessary. After all, you’ve built your career on your ability to fix problems, right?
But here’s the truth: if you want to truly step into your role as an executive, you need to recognize when it’s time to let go and empower your team to step up.
The Urge to Fix Everything: A Double-Edged Sword
It’s easy to fall back on the mindset of "I can solve this faster myself." It feels like a quick win. But constantly being the one to solve problems for your team can have serious consequences. It undermines your team’s confidence and their ability to think critically. It also keeps you stuck in the weeds, where you're doing the work instead of leading it.
Here’s what happens when you’re the constant fixer:
You Burn Out Faster
You’re doing the work for everyone else instead of creating the space for your team to step up and contribute their ideas. Eventually, this overextension can lead to burnout—not just for you, but for your team as well.Your Team Stops Thinking for Themselves
When you always swoop in to fix the issue, your team might stop thinking critically about solutions. They’ll wait for you to do it instead of taking ownership and coming up with creative solutions themselves.You Lose Strategic Focus
Being constantly mired in the day-to-day issues of your team pulls you away from the big picture. As an executive, your role is to think strategically and set the direction—not to be bogged down in every little fire that pops up.
Knowing When to Be in the Ditch vs. On the Freeway
The key to successful leadership is knowing when to roll up your sleeves and jump into the weeds and when to elevate yourself and your team to a higher level. There’s a time to get in the ditch with your team and a time to be on the freeway, focused on the larger goals.
When to Be in the Ditch:
When your team needs guidance or direct intervention in high-stakes situations.
When a decision is urgent and you need to ensure the team is aligned with the company’s values and vision.
When there's a skills gap and coaching or mentoring will help your team grow.
When to Be on the Freeway:
When you need to set the vision, define strategic goals, and create a roadmap for the future.
When you trust your team to make decisions within their scope of work, and you empower them to do so.
When you need to be removed from the day-to-day grind to stay focused on long-term success.
Empowering Team Autonomy and Critical Thinking
Now that you know when to step back, let’s talk about how to empower your team to take the reins and develop their critical thinking skills. After all, your job as an executive is to get work done through others, not to do everything yourself.
Set Clear Expectations
You don’t need to micromanage every detail, but you do need to be clear about the bigger picture. Ensure your team understands the company’s goals and vision. This helps them make decisions that are aligned with the business objectives, even when you're not in the room.Encourage Problem-Solving
Instead of jumping in with solutions right away, ask guiding questions. “What are your thoughts on how to address this issue?” or “What do you think would be the best way to move forward?” This approach helps your team think critically and learn how to solve problems on their own.Give Your Team Space to Fail (and Learn)
Sometimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes. By giving your team the space to fail in a safe environment, you create a culture where learning and growth are prioritized over perfection. They’ll become more confident in their decision-making abilities, and you’ll spend less time putting out fires.Provide Feedback, Not Solutions
When your team does run into challenges, focus on offering constructive feedback rather than solutions. Ask them how they could approach the problem differently next time, or what they could learn from the experience. This helps them become more self-reliant and fosters a growth mindset.Create a Culture of Accountability
Make sure your team knows they are responsible for the outcomes. When they feel accountable, they’ll be more motivated to step up and take ownership. Hold them to high standards and trust that they can deliver—just like you do.
The Balance Between Knowing and Letting Go
While empowering your team is essential, you can’t completely remove yourself from the process. Surprises are for rookies, after all. You still need to stay in the loop to ensure you’re not blindsided by challenges that could impact your business. Here’s how to stay involved without micromanaging:
Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to stay updated on the progress of your team. These are opportunities for you to offer guidance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure alignment with the company’s goals.
Stay Curious: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get the pulse of the team. Just because you’re empowering them to lead doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be actively involved in their development.
Provide Strategic Oversight: As an executive, your role is to monitor the overall performance of your team and the business. Be proactive in identifying potential roadblocks or areas that need attention, but avoid swooping in to fix everything yourself.
Final Thoughts: Transitioning to True Leadership
Stepping into your role as an executive means more than just managing people—it’s about empowering them to do their best work, think critically, and make decisions that align with the company’s vision. Being the go-to problem-solver and fixer may have served you well in your individual contributor days, but as an executive, it’s time to shift your focus to developing your team’s autonomy and strategic thinking.
If you're ready to stop putting out fires and start leading from a higher level, let’s talk about how you can make this transition. I’m here to help you empower your team, enhance your leadership skills, and achieve your company’s long-term success.