The Leadership Habit That’s Making Your Team Stop Thinking

It starts with good intentions. A leader sees a struggling employee and jumps in with a quick fix. Then another. And another. Before long, the team has stopped thinking for themselves, waiting for direction instead of taking initiative.

This is solution addiction—the need to always provide answers instead of fostering independent problem-solving. Leaders who do this often feel productive, but in reality, they’re creating dependency, not development.

How Solution Addiction Hurts Teams

1. Employees Become Passive

When employees know the leader will swoop in with the answer, they stop trying to figure things out. They wait, ask, and defer instead of thinking critically.

2. Leaders Get Overwhelmed

Constantly solving problems for others is exhausting. Instead of focusing on strategy, leaders get stuck handling minor issues that their teams should be resolving.

3. Innovation Stalls

Creativity thrives when people are encouraged to think independently. When leaders dictate solutions, employees stop offering new ideas.

Breaking the Habit

1. Ask Questions Instead of Giving Answers

When someone comes to you with a problem, resist the urge to fix it immediately. Instead, ask: “What do you think?” or “What are our options?”

2. Let Employees Struggle (A Little)

Growth happens in discomfort. Let your team wrestle with challenges before stepping in.

3. Praise Problem-Solving, Not Just Outcomes

Recognize employees who take initiative, even if their solutions aren’t perfect. Encourage a culture where effort and creativity are valued.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about helping others find them.

Dr. Merrylue Martin is President and Founder of the Job Joy Group, and best-selling author of the Big Quit Survival Guide and the newly published The ABC’s of Genius Leadership.