What if Proactive Problem-Solving Could Just Happen All Year?

We asked Brian Harding, a leading authority on developing high-performing teams, to share with our construction contracting clients and other readers about planning for proactive problem-solving year-round. He offers excellent advice that may come as a surprise. Here is what he had to say.

It’s that time of year!

With the holidays also comes the time when we plan for next year. Before going too far down the planning path, I think it’s worth asking, “Why do we typically make these plans?” Often, it is to prioritize the measurable growth goals we want to achieve and the specific problems we want to solve. 

With personal growth and improvement endeavors – like a goal of losing weight, for example – one could argue that there is at least as much benefit in a long-term, continuous effort as there is a “New Year’s Resolution” approach.

Solving Business Problems

I don’t think it’s much different when we decide how to go about solving problems in our business. What if, rather than waiting for a particular time of year to get everyone to focus on solving problems for a short period of time (and hoping they stick), we just made problem-solving part of the normal routine, like changing our diet long-term in my weight loss example?

You’re probably thinking, “Of course I want my employees solving problems all the time!” You might even be thinking, “My employees should know that’s what I want, and it’s silly to think I would have to tell them.” And perhaps that’s true for you. But most business owners I know wish their employees would solve more problems, so the business owner has fewer to solve.

Now I’ll ask you… Are your employees proactively solving as many problems as you would like, all year? Does it just happen without you directing it?

If the answer is yes, you can stop reading and go enjoy some leftover turkey or jump on Amazon to find that elusive gift you’ve been trying to find.

Problem Solving For From the Team

If not, here is where we can make an improvement with consistent, proactive, year-round problem-solving from our team. We can answer this question: How would we know we did it? What would tell us we did, in fact, have a team that proactively solves problems all year?

One way is by measuring how many employee-driven improvements we implement. We’ve all heard the statement, “You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”

Another way is by setting an employee-driven solution minimum. One of the most successful business owners I know (her company has over 500 employees) has a minimum for how many employee-driven improvements they implement each year. Again, we’ve all heard, “You have to inspect what you expect.”

Stop Talking

If those seem too big a leap, here is an easier step: Ask your team to describe what success looks like for continuous, employee-driven, problem-solving in your company. And then do one of the most difficult things in leadership… Stop talking.

Let them answer. 

• Don’t direct the conversation any further. 

• Don’t give examples. 

• Don’t lead them to the answer you’re hoping for. 

• Do ask the question and stop talking. 

My objective here is not to teach. It is to genuinely learn how they believe this is supposed to work. 

After they have answered, you can ask yourself if their answer matches yours. No matter how they answer, how close or far off your team is from how you want this to work, I promise you will learn a great deal about why it’s not just happening already.

Planning for Problem Solving

As you plan for 2026, I would encourage you to consider a date-driven objective that will encourage employees to proactively solve problems all year. The objective might be measurable, like my examples above. Or the objective might be to simply develop a clarifying statement describing the outcome we are aiming for. With the outcome defined, we dramatically increase our odds of getting there.

You have really smart people on your team. And you have too much to do. Why not just let them help you lighten your load? The December 2026 version of you would thank you immensely.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brian Harding is The Proven Growth Guide – a leading authority on developing high-performing teams, customer acquisition, and scaling a thriving company.

He is an author, speaker, business coach, and problem solver for entrepreneurs in service industries. His wide range of experience provides invaluable insights to his audiences and clients, including 15 years owning and operating his own companies, over 25 years managing employees, 15 years in various customer acquisition roles, as well as many years working in leadership team development, accounting, and process improvement.

In his early 30s, Brian led a branch and a team of 68 employees as an employee. Later, he and two business partners started their own company and scaled it from zero to over fifty employees, invoicing over 9,000 jobs per year, in less than nine years.

After experiencing tremendous growth in his own company (and learning that many business coaches had never actually owned their own company), what followed was natural. He now helps business owners who want a proven path to building a reputable business that never drops the ball.

Brian and his wife, Stacy, live in Anthem, Arizona, where he enjoys activities like traveling to tropical locations, hiking, and riding his Harley. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You can find Brian on his LinkedIn page.

Ambitious Construction Contractors look to The Profit Constructors to provide advocacy in dealing with:

• Clients and customers

• Employees and subcontractors

• Vendors and service providers

• Governmental entities 

Working with The Profit Constructors gives Construction Contractors the means to organize their operations in ways that help them:

• Remain informed

• Avoid hassles

• Reduce risks

• Be future-ready

Ready for action? Or want to know more? Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary discovery call. 866-629-7735