Leadership can often feel like an endless series of challenges, and as many leaders will tell you, it’s rare to have a day devoid of problems. If you’re experiencing a problem-free day, brace yourself—tomorrow might bring a whirlwind of issues. However, it’s important to remember that tackling problems is often the core reason many of us choose to lead. We want to make a difference, bring solutions, and chase our dreams, even when the journey feels steep and full of obstacles.

So how can we improve our problem-solving skills and turn challenges into stepping stones? The key lies in a simple yet effective process I call DEALT: Decide, Act, Evaluate, Learn, and Try Again. Each step serves as a guiding principle for effectively addressing the inevitable problems that arise in our leadership journey.

Decide

The first step to conquering any problem is to make a decision. This might sound straightforward, yet many of us experience paralysis by analysis. We can get so bogged down in examining potential solutions that we forget to actually decide on one. Depending on the complexity of the issue, it’s crucial to take the time to analyze the situation, but don’t lose momentum by overthinking. When you finally make a decision, you lay the groundwork for addressing the problem at hand.

Act

With a decision made, it’s time to take action. Let’s say, for example, a doctor has advised you to lose weight. The options are abundant—changing your diet, increasing exercise, or both. Are you willing to try running, swimming, or perhaps joining a fitness class? Choose an action plan and commit to it. The key here is progress over perfection; even a small step forward is still a step in the right direction.

Evaluate

Once you’ve implemented your plan, take a moment to evaluate how things are going. Continuing our weight-loss example, if you find that you are less motivated to swim every day, it’s time for an assessment. Are the circumstances too challenging? Is the timing inconvenient? Gathering honest feedback about your efforts will help you understand what works and what doesn’t.

Learn

Every experience is a teacher, but only if we choose to learn from it. If your initial approach isn’t inspiring sustained motivation, reflect on your evaluation. Maybe swimming isn’t your thing. You might discover that strength training at the gym engages you more and offers visible results. This is an essential part of the process: understanding why something works or doesn’t helps refine your approach moving forward.

Try Again

Finally, armed with new insights and revised strategies, it’s time to try again. This might involve revisiting your gym routine or adopting entirely new approaches. The beauty of leadership is that it is iterative; with each cycle of the DEALT process, you become better at navigating challenges.

As you face problems this week, I challenge you to take a step back and apply the DEALT method. Will you stoke the flames of frustration, or will you deliberately decide, act, evaluate, learn, and try again? Remember, tackling problems is not just about addressing issues—it’s about growing as a leader.

If you found this framework helpful, please share it. I know sometimes I need a thinking partner to help me with some of the problems I am trying to solve.  If I can be that for you please reach out directly to me at randy@wheelercoachingsystems.com to receive a complimentary powerful coaching session.  Lead well!

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