"SEE WITH YOUR FEET“

🎯 Insight:

Effective problem-solving requires more than just meetings and discussions—it demands engagement at the source of the issue. When leaders embrace a hands-on approach and involve the people closest to the work, they foster a culture of continuous improvement and better decision-making.

💡 The Idea:

A few days after coaching the president of an organization, she reached out to share an immediate impact from our session. Her reflection highlights a crucial shift in problem-solving mindset—moving from remote discussions to on-the-ground engagement.

🔍 The Power of “Seeing with Your Feet”

In her words:

"We tried to do a problem-solving meeting via Zoom this afternoon. Soon into the meeting, I remembered your coaching and realized we could not solve the problem this way. We paused the meeting because it lacked people who do the work, and we were not in the physical location where the problem occurred to see what contributed to it. We are rescheduling so we can ‘see with our feet,’ in the department where the problem occurred, engaging people who were involved when it happened."

This shift—from a remote, detached problem-solving approach to an on-site, engaged one—demonstrates the power of going to the source, involving frontline teams, and making data-driven decisions based on firsthand observations.

☝️ Key Takeaways for Leaders:

• Go to the Gemba: 

  The best insights come from being present where the work happens. Observing the process firsthand allows leaders to identify real root causes rather than making assumptions.

• Engage the Right People:

  Those closest to the problem often have the best solutions. Include frontline employees in discussions to uncover practical, sustainable improvements.

• Pause & Pivot When Needed:

  If a meeting lacks key people or direct observation, it may not be effective. Leaders should have the courage to stop, reassess, and reset to ensure meaningful problem-solving.

• Build a Culture of Learning:

  When leaders model this approach, they set the expectation that problems should be solved at the source—driving higher engagement, ownership, and long-term improvement.

💭 Your Turn:

Have you ever paused a meeting because it wasn’t the right setting for effective problem-solving?

How do you ensure your team solves problems at the source?

Share your experiences and insights in the comments! 🚀

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