Don’t Sit In The Gallery
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by General David M. Shoup, USMC. It is a long quote, but has great meaning to me in how I approach problems, whether they are at work or home:
“The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball. They fight no fights. They make no mistakes, because they do nothing.
Down in the arena are the doers. They make mistakes because they try many things.
The person who makes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything. He is the brakes on the wheel of progress.
And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes, because his biggest mistake is the very fact he tries nothing, does nothing — except criticize those who do things.”
I try to be a problem solver and train my direct reports to be problem solvers. Nothing irritates me more than someone to come into my office with a problem and no solution. This is especially frustrating when they ask me for the solution. If I have to solve all of the problems, then why would I need managers? In any case, while I may be frustrated, I try not to show it as this is an opportunity to teach the skills of problem solving.
I keep the quote above hanging in my office as a reminder to myself and those who enter that I am always in the arena. Problem solving is not a spectator sport, it is a contact sport. You will get dirty, dinged up and banged around. To solve problems, you have to seek out conflict (the good kind). Someone once said to me that bad news doesn’t get better with age and the same applies to problems. The longer they sit, the harder they are to solve. There is nothing more satisfying than getting a problem figured out.
So, for everyone out there with a problem to solve, dig in and get some solutions going. Don’t be the person in the room who has nothing better to do than criticize those who take risks or put solutions on the table. Be the risk taker, be the person who steps up first to say “I have an idea”. Be in the arena.
Well said, I agree that you must stay active in problem solving and problem prevention. Too often leaders remain reactive, when if more proactive in the arena much of the reaction would be unnecessary. I think excellent strategic planning can aide in being proactive as the focus is predetermined.