When problems…opportunities for growth, challenges, whatever you want to call them…when they occur we all have an immediate reaction. We look for the root cause.
The ironic thing for me is how we (as leaders) seem to naturally look OUT to find the source of the problem and not IN!
What I mean is that many times we look for the source of a problem to be something we had nothing to do with, its someone else’s problem…we look OUT. However, if we are honest, if we looked IN first we would probably find a lot of room for growth there first.
For instance, let’s look at a few examples…
Communication
Their seems to be some misunderstanding on our team with the expectations and how they should be carried out. For some reason we naturally begin to think…”what are they not getting?” when the real question may be “what am I not clearly communicating?”
Environments
Each Sunday a child comes into your Kindergarten room excited, but when small groups begin…he can’t seem to pay attention. Naturally we begin to ask “what’s wrong with this kid?” when the real question may be “how can we improve this environment (even our material) so its easier for him to focus?”
Leadership
The leaders on your team know how to lead and they’re smart, but their teams are having trouble following their lead. Naturally we begin to ask “what are they doing wrong?” when really the question may be “Have I set the example for how KEY relationships and trust are to leading…have I enabled & empowered them?”
Of course these situations are all made up, but the point still stands. We should look IN (as in what can WE do better) before we look OUT (what can THEY do better) when it comes to the challenges we face everyday!
That’s not to say there won’t be times when we’ve done everything we can and it really is something we have to look OUT on. Those will come, but knowing we’ve exhausted all options looking IN first…make those a lot easier.
So, what’s your challenge today? Where are you looking? 
