The Problem Is…
I have a friend—no, he’s now more of an acquaintance. So, I have this acquaintance from whom I’m trying to distance myself. A few months ago, I realized I had to get away from this guy to maintain my entrepreneurial mindset.
You see, he’s the guy I call “The problem is…” guy. No matter what we’re talking about, whether it’s business or debating the state of things in my garage, his only input is, “Well, the problem is with that…” He then goes on to tell me what the problem is with the thought or idea. He’s just full of it. He’s full of observations of the problems, challenges, or negatives of any issue. He’s full of reasons why something won’t work. If that’s not enough, what drives me nuts is the guy never, ever has a solution.
How many “The problem is…” people are in your life? I guarantee you know one, or two, or a hundred. They are the vampires of the workplace and any relationships. They suck all hope and possibility out of anyone around them. They crush visions and deflate enthusiasm. In my work as a Master Business Coach, I’ve seen it happen, and if you let it persist, it can bring down entire organizations, momentum, and relationships. In today’s ultra-competitive digital economy, there is no room for “The problem Is…” people in any organization. Like cancer, it is the responsibility of the business owner, entrepreneur, or executive to cut it out before it spreads.
In the businesses that I work with, I like to teach a version of a technique that I first read about years ago. One of my business leadership heroes is legendary CEO Jack Welsh. When confronted with an executive who would deal with business challenges with “The problem is…” you should calmly stop them from finishing their list of problems. Then say, “What is your solution?” If there is no solution to be quickly offered, all that needs to be done is to say, “You need to leave, think about the situation, and then come back when you have a solution to discuss. Until that happens, we have no reason to talk or for me to listen. I hope to hear from you soon.”
They’ll return with some of their thoughts and solutions if they’re worth their salt. If they persist, however, to want to discuss “The problem with…” then it’s time for them to be culled from the herd. These people offer nothing except negative blather. Sometimes, I think that is because they are just negative people squandering their lives thinking only about the “what if” of everything. Other times, I believe they are lazy. If they contributed to an idea to make it work, they would actually have to do some work.
If you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or an executive, you cannot allow “The problem is…” people on our team. There will be limited or even suppressed ideas and innovation. Your company will go nowhere, stuck in the quagmire of mediocrity, while your competition grows, prospers, and makes money. And, while this happens, someone in your organization is saying, “Well, you know, the problem with growing too fast is….”
It is imperative that you create and protect the mindset of your environment, your team, your company, and yourself. As a leader, it’s your responsibility.