Will Kelly teaches the 1-3-1 rule: anyone bringing a problem must present one clearly defined problem, three possible solutions, and one recommended fix. It forces people to think before escalating and separates those who can't solve problems from those who've never been taught how.
There's a difference between a team member who can't solve problems and one who was never taught how you expect them to. This is where the 1-3-1 rule comes in. It's a simple concept and a simple framework that I use and teach inside of my community and organization. It's simple and it will change how your entire operation functions if you implement it properly. Here's basically how it works. When someone brings you a problem, they must bring it in this format: 1 problem, 3 possible solutions, and 1 recommendation. That's it. They cannot walk into your office or your shop, call your phone, text you with just a problem. The price of entry to bring you a problem is that they've already done the thinking. They've identified at least 3 ways they can solve it, and they're going to come to you with 1 recommendation they actually believe will work.
