As some of you may know I am a former Information Technology person. The thing that is great about IT people is that we are problem solvers at heart. As soon as we hear about an issue, we immediately jump into solution mode. We just can’t help ourselves! The challenge is that solving problems for everyone else may not always be the right answer.
For example, two people on your team are disagreeing about some issue or your kids are fighting about something and you feel like you need to step in to help bring back the peace. What if you didn’t do anything? Would they be able to work it out themselves? In most cases, they will figure it out without your help. They will learn how to build the muscle of communicating and solving their own problems. Being intentional to maintain your boundaries and stay out of it is good for you and for them.
Are you getting in the middle of things that you don’t need to be involved in simply because you are trying to solve problems for others? If you reflect on this, your involvement may be more about you trying to avoid conflict and keep harmony. Allowing disagreements and a little conflict can be okay and it can help people grow. Sometimes it creates a better outcome and builds an even stronger relationship for them because they had to work together to solve the issue. Create boundaries that allow you to empower others and keep you focused on your own priorities.