Great leaders don’t just solve problems—they grow people who can. And in today’s fast-paced, decision-heavy environment, developing that capability across your team is the key to long-term success.
One of the most powerful leadership tools you can apply today is the 1:3:1 method. This simple framework helps leaders stop being the bottleneck and start building a team that takes initiative, thinks critically, and drives results without waiting to be told what to do.
Here’s how it works.
When a team member approaches you with a problem, don’t rescue them by providing the answer. Instead, coach them through this process:
1 – Define the problem.
Get them to articulate exactly what’s going wrong. Is it a system failure? A resource constraint? A people or process issue? Clarity is the foundation of good decision-making.
3 – Present three possible solutions.
Encourage them to consider different angles. What would they do? What are the pros and cons of each option? What could go wrong? This step invites curiosity, responsibility, and analysis.
1 – Recommend one preferred option.
Now they own it. They’ve worked through the problem, explored options, and backed a decision. You’re building a problem-solver—not just another passive participant.
The benefits of this model are substantial. It cultivates accountability, strengthens capability, and frees up valuable leadership time by reducing over-reliance. It also teaches resilience and confidence—because people grow most when they take ownership of their ideas.
Will mistakes happen? Of course. But growth always carries risk. That’s why it’s critical to create safe boundaries:
Within those boundaries, let your people learn, try, and occasionally fall short.
You’re not weakening control—you’re strengthening the system.
When you shift from giving answers to guiding ownership, you transform your culture. People stop waiting. They start thinking. And high performance becomes a shared responsibility.
So, the next time someone says, “What should I do?”—pause. Ask the questions that lead them forward.
Because true leadership isn’t making every decision—it’s helping others make better ones.
Say less. Ask more. Grow capability.
