Tensions and Problems

Recently I have been impacted by a leadership thought that has focused my thinking in recent days. So I will start with the statement and process it....so here goes..." A necessary skill for a growing leader is the ability to differentiate between tensions you need to manage and problems you need to solve."
Often as a leader you find that whenever you lead or manage people you have to manage some tensions but when you have to continually manage a tension you find that it may really be a problem you need to solve. Like wise you may in problem solving mode and be seriously hitting some things that really may be tensions that need to be managed. Bottom Line....Your leadership development hinges on your ability to accurately manage tensions or solve problems. Both require clarity and courage.
So I made a list, what are all the tensions I'm managing and what are all the problems that need solving. What I have noticed is that there a lot more tensions than there are problems...and truth be told compelling evidence that there is a lack of clarity and courage in dealing with the problems at hand. Imagine the wasted time of managing tensions that are really problems....I already fight a time management challenge but never realized the time consumed by this paradox. Seriously think about it...the energy that you have to manufacture to manage problems is enormous. It's draining and bumps into your ability to lead effectively and dings your credibility....Dang! This is one I got to get right! More to come as I try to figure all this out.

Hey no one said this would be easy! Whoop! Kev