Transformational leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate employees and stakeholders to create the conditions for successful transformation. Problem solving is essential to this.
What is problem solving?
Defining problems and finding solutions to them. It involves identifying and defining concise and accurate problem statements, considering options, and selecting the option that most appropriately resolves the issue.
Essential for:
- All types of transformation.
Knowledge
- Understanding of how to define problems effectively.
- Understanding of how to approach problem resolution systematically, avoiding a ‘solution first’ approach.
Skills
Able to:
- Identify and frame problems: Creating and creating a concise and accurate problem statement.
- Follow a structured thought process: Understand the root cause (or causes) of problems before assessing options to solve it.
- Be creative: In generating potential solutions to the problem.
- Work collaboratively: With others, actively seeking relevant inputs.
- Analyse the pros and cons: Of different options, aligning evaluation criteria to overall organisational objectives.
- Think ‘long term’: Avoiding sticking plaster solutions (unless a conscious decision is made to adopt short term fixes while long term sustainability is delivered alongside)
- Make objective, data led decisions: Being guided by evidence to a logical, data-led conclusion.
Behaviours
- Accountable
- Collaborative
- Organised
- Structured
- Thoughtful
- Tenacious
- Outcome focused.
- Positive
- Objective / balanced.
- Decisive
- Adaptable and pragmatic
- Empathetic
- Resilient
- Committed to continual learning.
Related roles
- Executive and Senior Leadership
- Chief Transformation Officer / Director of Transformation
- Directors
- Heads of Service
- Portfolio Manager
- Programme Manager
- Project Manager
- Product Manager
- Scrum Master
-
Workstream Lead
Leadership and management – maturity index
The index attached below sets out the typical leadership and management characteristics demonstrated by councils at each stage of their transformation maturity.
