Leading Through Uncertainty: How Umpqua Bank Emerged from the Great Recession Better and Stronger than Ever

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Problems and the Healing Process

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

—Colin Powell

Leaders will always be challenged by problems. It's a natural part of their job. Exactly how they tackle the problems they face will determine how others perceive their leadership skills. And whether we like it or not, perception is important. Sometimes it's not what we accomplish that resonates with others; it's what we do and how we act in the heat of battle. This is what builds a leader's reputation, good or bad.

While business problems and challenges ...