Every business, at its core, was created for one main purpose: to solve problems. That’s it. No matter the industry, service, or product, businesses thrive by identifying and addressing problems. Restaurants solve the problem of hunger. Dentists solve the problem of dental pain or maintenance. Consulting firms like mine help businesses overcome operational challenges or strategic obstacles. Yet, this fundamental purpose—solving problems—is also where the biggest issues for any business begin.
When I start working with a new client, I ask them a simple question: What do you do? The answers I receive are often long, winding, and overly complex. Many business leaders feel compelled to offer explanations filled with jargon or specifics. But when you strip away the details, what they’re really saying is this: We identify and solve problems.
It’s a crucial realization. However, it comes with an inherent downside. The drive to always look for the next problem to solve can consume us. In fact, it can become so pervasive that we only focus on problems. As a business leader or manager, this habit can lead to an unhealthy cycle where your entire focus shifts to fixing issues, never pausing to appreciate what’s going right.
Why does this matter? Because while serving your customers successfully means identifying and solving problems, leading your team successfully means finding and amplifying the positive.
Here’s the truth: positivity, when communicated effectively, can transform your team’s mindset. Let me share a few simple examples. Picture a day that begins with a chaotic-looking schedule. The team braces for the worst. Yet, as the day progresses, things run smoothly, and everyone goes home on time. Or imagine a customer who, at first, seems difficult because they ask endless questions, but they end up being your most loyal advocate. Or that nerve-wracking moment you decide to launch a new initiative that feels risky but turns out to be an incredible success.
These are the moments that matter. And yet, in a business culture hyper-focused on problems, they often get lost. The problem with always looking for problems is that it leaves little room to celebrate progress or acknowledge success. And your team feels it. When all they hear about are missed goals, ongoing frustrations, or potential pitfalls, it can drain morale. The silent narrative becomes, We’re never quite enough.
But when you deliberately find and share the positives, you shift that narrative. The team begins to hear that their hard work is seen, that their efforts lead to successes—sometimes surprising ones. They start to understand that while solving problems is crucial, acknowledging wins is equally important. Positivity breeds confidence and reinforces the very behaviors you want to see more often.
Creating this culture of acknowledgment is as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. It’s about pausing for a moment to say, Hey, we did that well. Or, Today looked tough, but look how we came through it together. The impact of such moments is profound.
So, make time to find the positives and share them. Lay the path for a new future—one where your team is energized not just by the challenge of solving problems, but by the satisfaction of seeing their efforts rewarded with acknowledgment. That’s where real, sustainable growth happens.
