Sparking Leadership #2: Exciting problems, boring solutions (and the real work of leadership).

In a recent conversation, a leader told me, "Exciting problems have boring solutions" and it stuck with me.

Because it’s true and it’s definitely one of the quiet secrets behind successful leadership. We all love the thrill of tackling complex, high-stakes challenges. We look for bold strategies, revolutionary ideas, grand gestures.

But, here's the harsh truth that nobody talks about: Most exciting problems are solved by patient, disciplined leadership, and that usually means mastering the basics.

👉 Why boring solutions are the "secret sauce" of leadership

“Boring” solutions are the foundational leadership practices that don’t sound revolutionary, but they are what drive progress.

They’re things like:

✔️ Setting clear #goals and revisiting them regularly

✔️ Following through on what you said you’d do

✔️ Holding regular 1:1s with your #team members

✔️ Having honest conversations (even when they’re uncomfortable)

✔️ Documenting decisions so there’s clarity and accountability

✔️ Celebrating small wins to build momentum

They don’t feel groundbreaking. They’re not the stuff of TED Talks or viral posts. But these are the habits that build trust, alignment, and long-term impact.

Here's something that I learned in my many years in HR:

People thrive in environments where there’s clarity, consistency, and follow-through. And it’s your job as a leader to set that tone.

✅ Clear communication reduces conflict.

✅ Regular rhythms reduce stress.

✅ Documented actions reduce confusion.

✅ Small, steady actions create progress over time.

That’s where leadership makes a real difference: in the slow, daily shaping of team culture and trust.

This is exactly what Jim Collins describes in his "flywheel effect" from Good to Great: No single dramatic action leads to greatness. It’s the disciplined, repeated efforts that eventually create unstoppable momentum.

❓A question for you:

Next time you're staring at a complex problem, ask yourself: "What’s the simple, “boring” solution I might be overlooking?" Because chances are, that’s where the real leadership opportunity lies.

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🌟Sparking Leadership is a series of weekly posts on #leadership. I’ve been writing about leadership for some time now - sharing inspiration, strategies, and stories with my network. Now, I’m giving this rhythm a name and a little spark of its own. Follow along if you're interested in leading with more clarity, courage, and intention. And if there’s a leadership challenge you’d love to see tackled, let me know. In the meantime, lead with spark!