We’ve all been there. Someone offers us a solution, but we’re not convinced there’s even a problem. Maybe we nod politely. Maybe we tune out. Either way, the idea doesn’t stick.
As leaders, it’s tempting to move fast — straight to the fix. But if the people around us don’t yet see or feel the problem, the solution, no matter how brilliant, will fall flat.
I’ve learned this lesson again and again. Before you lead people to the answer, help them see the need. Raising awareness isn’t just a soft skill. It’s a leadership responsibility.
The Real Work Begins Before the Whiteboard
At Funds For Learning, we work with school and library leaders navigating E-rate funding. Over the years, I’ve seen countless situations where success didn’t begin with a clever proposal. It began with a moment of clarity. Someone saw the problem for what it was. They understood the stakes. They saw the why.
That’s when real momentum started.
I’ve written before about the importance of loving the problem more than the solution (article link). But sometimes we forget that people can’t love the problem until they’re even aware of it.
That’s the leadership gap: bridging the space between awareness and action.
Three Practices That Build Awareness
- Diagnose out loud
Don’t assume everyone’s on the same page. Narrate what you’re seeing. “Here’s what’s happening.” “This is where I see friction.” “Here’s what’s at risk.” It may feel obvious to you, but chances are, someone else hasn’t seen it that way yet. - Name what’s missing
Sometimes awareness isn’t about what’s going wrong. It’s about what’s not there. A misalignment. A blind spot. A goal left unspoken. When we surface those gaps, we create space for alignment. - Hold the solution for a beat
It’s hard not to rush in with answers. But when we pause, we allow others to engage, reflect, and take ownership. That ownership often matters more than the solution itself.
The Fruit of Awareness
When a team shares a common understanding of a challenge, you can move faster, deeper, and with more trust. But if awareness is fractured — if people see different problems or no problem at all — then the best-laid plans are just that: plans.
I’ve seen this pattern hold true whether I’m working with educators, nonprofit boards, or EO member leaders. The first breakthrough is usually not the idea. It’s the awareness.
Great leaders don’t just point the way forward. They shine a light on what’s happening right now and why it matters.
