Be A Problem Solver, Not A Problem Maker

by Dave Miller

Every young covocational leader eventually discovers that problem solving is not a side skill. It is central to the work. The marketplace and the ministry both bring challenges that refuse to wait until you feel ready. The more responsibility you carry, the more you will face situations that require clarity, presence, and steady judgment. Many young leaders begin their journey with a familiar obstacle. They feel the weight of the problem and immediately focus on everything they do not know. They stare at the unknown because the unknown feels dangerous. They assume the answer hides somewhere far beyond their current ability. This instinct creates paralysis because no one can lead from fear.

If you want to grow into a mature covocational leader you must learn to start in a different place. You cannot solve problems by fixating on what you do not know. You must begin with what you do know. This is not positive thinking and it is not denial. It is the foundation of all wise leadership. You cannot take a step forward if you do not know where your feet currently stand. Before you move into the unknown, you must gather the truth that God has already placed in your hands. Once you name what you know, the unknown becomes manageable. This shift alone will strengthen your leadership more than any technique or tool.

One of the best ways to build this discipline is through ongoing learning. When you research, read, ask questions, and stay curious you develop the habits that prevent many problems before they arise. Growth forms instincts. It builds muscle. Every new skill you learn equips you to face future challenges with confidence instead of panic. Young covocational leaders who commit to continual learning discover that they solve half their problems long before they appear because they never stop strengthening the foundation they stand on. Preparation always beats reaction.

There will be moments, however, when learning is not enough and you must stop and look inward. Young leaders often confuse the fear of the problem with the problem itself. Anxiety pushes your attention toward the unknown. You become preoccupied with everything you cannot see and everything you cannot control. When fear takes the lead you will always feel unprepared, even in situations where you already possess the tools to move forward. Fear magnifies the unknown and shrinks the known. It blinds you to what is possible. You will grow faster if you learn to recognize this pattern early. When you feel overwhelmed you must slow down and take inventory of your own emotions, attitudes, and assumptions. You must admit when fear distorts your judgment. Once you name the fear you remove its authority. You stop asking what if I fail because of what I do not know. You start asking what has God already given me for this moment. Courage does not appear out of nowhere. It grows when you choose to stand on what you know instead of running from what you do not know. This simple shift transforms the way you solve problems.

One of the shortest ways to develop this kind of confidence is to become brilliant in the basics. Problem solving becomes far easier when you master the simple practices that give you traction. Before you chase complex solutions you must become disciplined in the fundamental actions that reveal the information you already possess. Leaders who excel at the basics rarely thrash around in confusion because they trained themselves to gather truth before they reach for speculation.

A practical illustration comes from my business. We use scannable barcodes to store every piece of information about the items that come through our store. I often watch young employees or people who are unfamiliar with the work try to solve problems by walking around, staring at items, and guessing at details they do not understand. They begin with confusion because they begin with the unknown. The truth is that their first step should always be the same. Take the barcode. Scan it. Gather the information that the system already knows. Only then can they understand what they are actually looking at and what steps come next.

This example demonstrates a universal leadership principle. Your default should never be to chase what you do not know. Your default should be to gather everything you do know as quickly as possible. When you become brilliant in the basics you stop adding unnecessary complexity to your work. You stop wandering through problems without orientation. You give yourself a clear starting point every time. The better you understand the basics the more confidently you can move into the unknown because you trained yourself to anchor your mind in what is true, stable, and available. This simple habit alone will accelerate your growth and maturity as a covocational leader.

As you continue to grow, you will notice something important. Problem solvers never wait until they feel invincible. They move forward because they trained themselves to work from the known into the unknown. They practice steady learning. They build real habits. They confront their fear honestly. They refuse to let anxiety define the moment. They choose clarity over panic, presence over reaction, and humility over self protection. This is why covocational leaders become so valuable to movements and communities. They learn to navigate complexity without losing their center.

If you want to develop into this kind of leader, begin here. Start with what you know. Build habits of continual learning so that the future does not intimidate you. Recognize when fear becomes the real challenge. Slow down long enough to let courage rise from truth instead of waiting for confidence to appear from nowhere.

Become brilliant in the basics so that every problem begins with clarity rather than confusion. Step into the unknown with the conviction that God already gave you enough light for the next decision. The young covocational leader who masters this rhythm will grow quickly because they stop being shaped by their fears and start being shaped by their calling.