How Successful Leaders Embrace The “Find A Way” Mentality
“What do you do when someone points a gun at your head? You do what they say or they shoot you, right? Wrong. You take the gun. You pull out a bigger gun, or you call their bluff, or you do one of 146 other things.”
-Harvey Specter, Suits
That’s one of my favorite quotes that’s applicable to life and business, and I call it the “Find a way” Mentality.
It’s as simple as it sounds. Whenever you’re presented with a problem or an obstacle, find a way to the other side. There are always going to be hiccups or unexpected complications with plans, projects, and goals, but good leaders will always find a solution.
Here are three tips for finding a way as a leader:
1. Have a plan A, B, C, D, and E.
As a leader, you shouldn’t have just one plan. You should have multiple plans and multiple ways to execute them. Having multiple plans ensures that you don’t have to scramble for a solution when you’re presented with a problem. If you have a plan B, or C, or D, then you can switch gears immediately and not lose momentum by trying to come up with something new at the last minute. It’s always better to anticipate potential setbacks and brainstorm multiple paths forward on the front end rather than the backend to avoid stress down the line.
2. Find a creative way to make the impossible possible.
Part of your job, as a leader, is to make the impossible happen. As I said in my blog post on being a faster leader, you were hired for a reason. You are in your position because of your knowledge, skills, and experience. You are trusted to execute the plan, meet the goal, and exceed expectations. Part of exceeding expectations is making the impossible possible.
3. Come up with crazy ideas to solve the problem.
There are times when plans fall through and complications arise, and sometimes the seemingly logical answer isn’t always the best solution. One of my favorite things to hear from my leaders is “Matt, I have a crazy idea!” Sometimes, the craziest ideas offer the greatest solutions. One of the key ingredients to innovation is failure, so don’t let fear keep you from thinking outside the box and offering a crazy or unorthodox solution.
It can actually be more costly when you’re afraid or unwilling to find a way out of an obstacle. Here are some consequences to not finding a way:
1. You’re always going to be doing the same thing.
Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. Rather than sticking with “the way we’ve always done things,” have the courage to try a new path forward. You never know what next best thing is waiting around the corner from a big risk. Think of every opportunity that has a chance to succeed or a chance to learn. This growth mindset will ensure you never become stagnant.
2. You end up sending all the problems ‘upstairs’.
When you send all of your problems up the ladder, you make yourself ineffective. Your role becomes obsolete. If your manager or supervisor is always solving the problem, what do they need you for? When you make the impossible possible, when you find a way, you make yourself irreplaceable.
Think of the old adage “Wherever there’s a will, there’s a way.” Make sure you’re the type of leader that is always willing and eager to find a way. That’s the key to becoming invaluable.
MT
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