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The Problem with Always Being the Problem Solver
A rising executive must learn how to adapt his problem-solving mindset to lead more effectively.
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He’s spent much of his career successfully solving complex problems. Now, as he works his way up, he’s realizing that always trying to fix everything won’t let him focus on leading – or help his team succeed.
Host Muriel Wilkins coaches this leader through adapting his approach to lead more effectively.
For more on this topic:
- “ Leading by Letting Go ”
- “ How Leaders Can Let Go Without Losing Control ”
- “ Why Your Team Should Practice Collective Mindfulness ”
HBR Presents is a network of podcasts curated by HBR editors, bringing you the best business ideas from the leading minds in management. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Harvard Business Review or its affiliates.
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Any job you'd recommend for people who like puzzles/problem-solving?
Maybe this is too vague as a question, hope you don't mind, just looking for the input of others.
Right now I'm working as a maths substitute teacher and tutor. It's a 'good' job, in that the pay is okay, the hours aren't bad, and it's not that hard, but it's not something I have much passion for, and just kind of fell into it.
I'm 38, a UK citizen, but living in Hong Kong. I have master's degrees in maths (w/ economics minor) and biomedical engineering, and a PGDE, but feel I lack any real skills.
I think I'm pretty good with people, and might struggle to just sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, but I also have some health problems that mean I can't do anything too physical. Like walking up a flight of stairs and then having a conversation would be tough for me.
But yeah I've always liked puzzles, things that involve analytical thinking, and was wondering if there's anything that would be suited to that.
Always working in education, I've never really been part of the business world, but feel I'd like to be to some degree, but don't want to stress too much.
I wrote to some recruiters but got no response from any of them. This was in Hong Kong though, so my lack of Cantonese may have been a part of that.
Again, I know this is a bit vague, but just looking to hear anyone's opinion.
EDIT: thank you to everyone who answered, I appreciate the time and suggestions
Freight/logistics is constant problem solving and a huge industry in HK. Lack of Cantonese could be a problem but everyone at management level would be fluent in English. There are some crazy cool air charter businesses based in HK.
this is a good idea, thank you
You would be perfect in a data science/ai systems role.
Instead of python, use a lower level language like C++, so you can really write those mathematically efficient and automated optimisation functions.
Thanks for the suggestion; this is something I've considered, but haven't really made the effort to look in to more.
Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement / lean six sigma
I think this could be a great one for OP. I was going to recommend something like mechanical engineering but that definitely involves a lot of sitting in front of a computer which OP wants to avoid. I’ve worked in a few companies that try to do Lean and one that did their own version of it really well. Seeing a manufacturing or assembly area come together right for Lean principles can be very satisfying and really is a lot like puzzle solving.
You can be a crossword puzzle designer for the New York Times
Logistics and other project/budget management do sound good
In higher education, in the US at least, there’s a lot of administrative roles that you might find interesting and easier to transfer into - assessment in particular, working to determine if students are learning what we want them to, auditing programs and schools for outcomes like that.
Even on a more micro level, course scheduling, administration, advising, can all be a great mix of people & data.
This is definitely a very vague question, but it can be helpful to start there because clearly there are so many options from the few strengths you’ve described!
Definitely consider your location and job market first, but I’d also recommend throwing in a few more passions/qualifiers as you continue to pursue this question.
Are you happy in education as a field? Do you want to stay?
Are you looking for more money? I mean, very few people take a pay cut in a job move, but how much more money are you looking to make? Is this a big/important factor to you?
Analysis/data is certainly a good place to start, but it’s sorely needed in just about every field right now. Any other interests or passions you’d like to pursue that could help you find the right fit? (Coding, population of people you want to work with - is it even people-facing, etc etc)
hey thanks for the detailed answer
I want to leave education as a field, but you make some good points. And yeah I'd like to make more money. I could handle earning much less to begin with though, but the lack of development in substitute teaching bothers me. like it doesn't really go anywhere. and I don't particularly want to go back to a permanent teaching position.
in terms of how much? maybe it sounds dumb, but I hadn't really thought about it. I guess I'd like to be able to earn twice what I'm earning now (~50k), but wouldn't expect that for several/many years.
I know I probably should've spent some free-time learning coding, just as a useful, transferable skill, but I've never quite managed it. As in, I do a beginner course online, but then don't find a follow-up course and forget everything.
I work hard/learn well when I have a clear structure/aim, but haven't been very good at just independently learning a new skill like that. also maybe I wasn't that motivated, in that having a job that involves that much screen time didn't completely appeal to me.
thanks for your input, there are quite a few answers here that i'll think about and research
Auditing in education without an eucation degree?
Coding is a lot of problem solving.
What's that?
Underwriting
Dive into cryptography. A good cypher algorithm coder is worth their weight in gold!
System Administrator. So much documentation saying it should work a certain way but ultimately doesn't. Lots of puzzle and problem solving there.
Please consider salesforce if you like solving puzzles. Salesforce for Everyone YouTube channel
What kind of puzzles do you solve in Salesforce? Also, do you need SQL or python or another language for this?
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There are a number of free riddle solvers and riddle sites online, including riddles.com, riddles-online.com, and iRiddler.com. Most riddle solving sites also contain riddles to solve.
Problem Solvers with Jason Feifer features business owners and CEOs who went through a crippling business problem and came out the other side bigger and stronger. Feifer, Entrepreneur’s Editor in Chief, pulls these stories out so other busi...
A rising executive must learn how to adapt his problem-solving mindset to lead more effectively. A rising executive must learn how to adapt his problem-solving mindset to lead more effectively. He’s spent much of his career successfully sol...
Over time, I've noticed similar questions come through the reddit. This is sorta my canned answer. What jobs benifit from problem solving skills
that once I figure out how something is done, I lose all interest in it. Are there any careers where you're tasked with figuring out a problem
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I'm almost done my Aircraft Maintenance Engineering diploma and have gotten a tour of a typical workplace and realized that it just wasn't
For example, I love puzzles and trying to work out solutions and tinkering with broken things to try to get them to work again or
Freelance Consultant - Maybe take the experience you have and provide consulting to others. This may overlap with the entrepreneur route. It can
You may be interested in some jobs which require detail-oriented mindset. Not sure, but you can try the job data analytics or work as a physics
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Government investigator - could be any area (tax evasion may be suitable as you have a maths background). Lots of problem solving needed.