Business Problems Solved Podcast
287 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsWARNING - This podcast WILL challenge your thinking.
Welcome to Business Problems Solved!
In this podcast we help you solve your business problems by providing real examples and practical approaches to make today better than yesterday.
Introducing your host, the multi-sector, self-professed ‘most improved improvement person’ and qualified Business Problem Solver
Lee Houghton (pronounced Hawton)
You can contact Lee on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by searching for Lee Houghton THE Business Problem Solver or via visiting www.leehoughton.com for more content and to solve your business problems.
And remember – saying you know how to do it, is not doing it …
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Episodes
When setting actions does it hinder their completion
May 27, 2024 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBLee delves into the common issue of setting vague deadlines and lack of follow-through in business meetings. Lee challenges the practice of assigning generic due dates like "next Friday" or "end of the month," urging listeners to prioritise specific times for completing tasks. By emphasising the importance of committing to realistic deadlines and actively prioritising key activities, Lee highlights how this approach can lead to increased productivity and successful task completion. KEY TAK...
Are you really putting enough IN
May 20, 2024 00:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBThis episode delves into the importance of intent, intensity, and impact in achieving desired outcomes. Lee introduces the concept of the three I's - intent, intensity, and impact - as key factors in determining the success of actions and conversations. Listeners are encouraged to look inward, assess their approach, and strive for greater effectiveness in their interactions to achieve the desired impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Intent, Intensity, and Impact: The three I's discussed in the podcast ar...
Doing it IS NOT enough
May 13, 2024 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBLee delves into the importance of not just doing tasks, but doing them well to make a real difference. He emphasises the four levels of performance: not doing it, doing it, doing it well, and doing it well to shift performance. Drawing parallels to driving a car, Lee explains how simply completing a task is not enough; it must be done with the aim of achieving a specific goal or destination. He challenges listeners to consider their internal motivations and the impact of their actions on rea...
Are you protecting your team even in a safe environment
May 06, 2024 00:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIn this episode of Business Problems Solved, Lee reflects on his recent completion of the London Marathon and shares five key takeaways that helped him achieve this milestone. Lee draws parallels between lessons from his marathon experience and their applicability in business settings, emphasising the significance of proper fueling, being in the moment, perseverance, support, and training to achieve success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fuel Brain and Body Properly: Focus on providing the right fuel thr...
The 5 Things That Helped Me Run My FIRST Marathon
April 29, 2024 00:00 - 20 minutes - 19.3 MBLee reflects on his recent completion of the London Marathon and shares five key things that helped him achieve this milestone. Lee draws parallels between these lessons from his marathon experience and their applicability in business settings, emphasising the significance of proper fuelling, being in the moment, perseverance, support, and training to achieve success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fuel Brain and Body Properly: Focus on providing the right fuel through food, thoughts, and sleep to ensure ...
Who are you and how well do you really connect with others?
April 22, 2024 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBThis episode explores the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of others in conversations. Lee discusses the concept of the three H's - being heard, helped, or hugged - and how individuals typically seek one of these in interactions. Drawing inspiration from Charles Dewick's book, "Super Communicators," Lee emphasises the significance of recognising what the speaker wants from a conversation to enhance connection. The episode concludes with a reminder to prioritise connection o...
Using ICE and Coaching to enable Transformational Change
April 15, 2024 00:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBThis episode delves into the practical application of the ICE model in coaching conversations to drive transformational change. Lee introduces a four-box model that focuses on the coachee's level of thinking and action, guiding leaders on how to navigate coaching sessions effectively. The episode offers a structured approach to coaching that aims to empower individuals to think differently and take meaningful action towards improvement. KEY TAKEAWAYS ICE Model: The ICE model consists of th...
Using ICE as an Improvement coach
April 08, 2024 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBLee delves into the art of coaching, specifically focusing on the role of an improvement coach. Host Lee Horton emphasises the importance of having a clear intent, using conversation starters, and defining expected outcomes before engaging in coaching sessions. He introduces the ICE model (Intent, Conversation Starter, Expected Outcome) as a mental framework for effective coaching. Lee shares personal experiences of learning from mistakes, highlighting the significance of actively listening ...
The best teams don't have the best thinkers, they create the best thinkers
April 01, 2024 00:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBLee Horton delves into the concept that the best teams do not necessarily consist of the best thinkers, but rather create the best thinking environment. He emphasises the importance of leaders asking questions to empower and engage their teams, rather than providing all the answers. Lee discusses the significance of morning meetings or daily huddles in setting the tone for the day and encourages leaders to ask thought-provoking questions that stimulate critical thinking. KEY TAKEAWAYS Foc...
What, makes a great question doesn't it
March 25, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBJoin Lee as he talks about the art of coaching and the importance of asking great questions. Lee Horton emphasises the significance of thought-provoking questions that are succinct, open, relevant, timely, and free from bias and emotion. By exploring what makes a great question, Lee highlights the role of coaching in supporting performance and development opportunities for individuals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Coaching is essential in managing and leading people, as it involves asking thought-provoki...
Leadership change buy in is not about buying it in
March 18, 2024 01:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThis episode delves into the crucial aspect of leadership buy-in in successful change initiatives. Lee talks about the importance of senior leaders actively engaging and supporting change efforts beyond just financial investment. Using the analogy of a glass ceiling and floor, Lee highlights the disconnect between leaders and employees, stressing the need for transparent communication and genuine connection at all levels of the organisation. By discussing the role of leaders in setting visio...
Does Your Change Team Make this Big Mistake?
March 11, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBThis episode delves into the crucial aspect of role modelling within change teams. Lee, drawing from his 18 years of experience in change management, highlights the common failure of change teams to effectively role model the behaviours and strategies they advocate for others. By emphasising the importance of role modelling, Lee underscores the significance of change teams embodying the principles they aim to instil in leadership and operational teams. Through practical insights and real-wor...
Have Your Footprints Left Clues
March 04, 2024 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBLee explores the concept of footprints leaving clues in our personal and professional journeys. Reflecting on his own diverse experiences, including DJing, owning a bouncy castle business, and self-publishing children's books, Lee highlights the valuable lessons learned from each endeavour. By exploring the footprints left behind by these experiences, Lee emphasises the importance of understanding and maximising the potential of one's team members. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reflect on past experiences...
Growth Only Happens When You Rest
February 26, 2024 01:00 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBJoin Lee as he delves into the crucial role of rest in personal and professional growth. Drawing from his experience training for marathons, Lee highlights the necessity of rest periods for muscles to grow and strengthen. He parallels this concept with the workplace, emphasising the importance of downtime between meetings to allow for reflection, action, and progress. Through relatable analogies and thoughtful insights, Lee encourages listeners to consider how adequate rest can lead to enhan...
The 4 Parts That Make Up The Whole Person
February 19, 2024 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBLee talks about the concept of looking at people through a deeper lens to truly understand and engage with them. He discusses the importance of considering individuals as a whole person, comprising their thoughts, feelings, actions, and beliefs. By breaking down the person into these four components, Lee explores how leaders can effectively engage with their teams and drive positive change. The episode emphasises the significance of whole-person reflection, encouraging listeners to reflect o...
Manage Things, Lead People, Coach the Gap
February 12, 2024 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIn this episode, Lee discusses the importance of managing things, leading people, and coaching the gaps in a business setting. He stresses that while coaching is an effective way to develop employees, it is crucial to recognise when to manage situations and lead people instead. Lee highlights the need for clarity of vision, setting expectations, and role modelling when leading people. He also emphasises the importance of asking questions and providing challenges to close gaps and empower emp...
Organisational vs Personal habits
February 05, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBLee explores the difference between organisational habits and personal habits. He reflects on his previous discussions about individual habits and how they influence culture. Lee defines organisational habits as routines that occur automatically within an organisation, independent of specific individuals. He emphasises the importance of understanding and influencing both personal and organisational habits to shape the desired environment and achieve collective goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Differe...
Should We Strive for Organisational Instincts or Habits?
January 29, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBLee explores the concept of instincts and habits. He delves into the idea of striving for perfection in human behaviour by encouraging individuals to do the right thing at the right time, every time. Lee discusses the differences between instincts and habits, highlighting that instincts are reactive and unconscious, while habits involve conscious awareness and practice. Overall, this thought-provoking episode challenges conventional thinking and offers practical insights for solving business...
Emotion is the Key to Creating Positive Action
January 22, 2024 01:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBLee explores the importance of effectively engaging the hearts and senses of people when leading and implementing change. He emphasises the power of words, pictures, and emotions in creating a strong connection with individuals. Lee highlights the significance of creating a vision that resonates with people and involves them in the process, as it increases their level of commitment and engagement. He shares personal experiences, such as his running journey, to illustrate the impact of words ...
Don't Sweat the Unimportant Stuff, Do Sweat the Small Stuff
January 15, 2024 01:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBLee discusses the parallels between his marathon training journey and running a business. He shares his experiences and lessons learned from his training, emphasising the importance of paying attention to the small details and not sweating the unimportant stuff. Lee also talks about the value of seeking guidance and feedback from experienced individuals to understand what truly matters. KEY TAKEAWAYS The importance of sweating the small stuff: Paying attention to the small details is cruc...
We Have Lost the Art of Conversation
January 08, 2024 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBThis episode explores the importance of conversation in today's technology-driven world. Lee highlights how distractions and short-form communication have led to a loss of the art of conversation. Lee emphasises the need for engaging and meaningful conversations to solve business problems and improve personal relationships. He shares his own experience of transitioning from scripted questions to open-ended conversations in his podcast interviews. Lee believes that by prioritising conversatio...
My BIG Worry for 2024
January 01, 2024 00:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBJoin Lee as he reflects on the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various industries over the past year. He draws a parallel between AI and artificial grass, highlighting the advantages and limitations of both. While AI offers predictability and efficiency, human intelligence possesses emotional depth and adaptability. Lee emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and problem-solving, but also warns against over-reliance on it, as it ...
Reflections on 2023 and it's Still About The 4C's
December 18, 2023 01:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBIn this final episode of 2023, Lee reflects on the year and shares personal challenges, including his training for the London Marathon and an ultra marathon in 2024. He discusses the parallels between his training journey and the challenges faced in leadership. Lee emphasises the importance of having a compelling vision, making goals tangible and relatable, and creating accountability through public commitment. He also explores the four C's: connection, conversations, collaboration, and cele...
Put Your Body Where Your Priority Is
December 11, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 11 MBLee explores the concept of putting your body where your priorities are. He challenges the common practice of leaders simply sending emails or making phone calls about their priorities, and instead encourages leaders to physically show up and contribute to the work that aligns with their number one priority. By being present both physically and mentally, leaders can demonstrate their support and care for their teams, ultimately creating a more engaged workforce. KEY TAKEAWAYS Putting your...
It's No Wonder Our Communication isn't Effective, is it
December 04, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIn this episode, Lee Horton explores the complexities of communication and the challenges that arise when messages are not received as intended. Lee emphasises the importance of consistently and clearly communicating messages multiple times to ensure they are understood by different individuals. He shares the six key factors in any communication process into six key factors and talks about how acknowledging these factors and actively checking for understanding can help set up leaders for suc...
The Importance of Having a Structured Diary
November 27, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBLee opens up in this episode, sharing a personal experience of feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage his time effectively. He reflects on the importance of structure and prioritisation to avoid becoming overwhelmed and unproductive. Lee emphasises the need for clarity, conscious effort, and consistency in managing one's schedule and making time for important tasks. He also highlights the limited nature of time and the importance of being kind to oneself by prioritising and sticking to...
How Confident Are Your People And Can You Do More
November 20, 2023 01:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBLee shares a personal story about his son's confidence and how it relates to building successful teams in business. Lee's son, Jack, plays for two football teams and has different levels of confidence and involvement with each team. Lee introduces the concept of the "Q for Confidence" formula, which includes comfort, understanding, and effort. Lee talks about the importance of creating a comfortable and supportive environment for team members to build their confidence and perform at their be...
Making the 4 C's a System Not a One Off
November 13, 2023 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBJoin Lee as he discusses the importance of the four C's: Connect, Converse, Collaborate, and Celebrate. He challenges listeners to reflect on how effectively they are applying these principles within their teams. He also encourages listeners to have clarity in their understanding, be conscious in their actions, and remain consistent in their messaging and activities. By doing so, the four C's become a living and breathing system rather than a one-off activity. KEY TAKEAWAYS The four C's ar...
We Should Rethink Failure
November 06, 2023 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBLee discusses the concept of failure and how it is perceived differently in the gym versus in the workplace. Drawing parallels between failing to achieve fitness goals and failing to meet business targets, Lee challenges the negative connotation associated with failure and encourages listeners to reframe it as a stepping stone towards success. He emphasises the importance of intrinsic motivation, creating a safe environment for failure, and providing support and encouragement as leaders. K...
Does Everyone TRUST These 3 Things When Delivering A Change
October 30, 2023 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBJoin Lee as he explores the importance of trust in leading change. He introduces the concept of the trust equation, which includes reliability, credibility, intimacy, and self-orientation. Lee discusses three key aspects where trust is crucial: trust in the change facilitator, trust in the business, and trust in the solution. By building trust, leaders can successfully navigate organisations and achieve their desired outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Trust is a crucial factor in leading change and s...
The 3 Non Negotiables For A High Performance Leadership Team
October 22, 2023 23:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn this episode of Business Problems Solved, Lee Horton discusses the three non-negotiables for a high-performing leadership team. Drawing inspiration from a leadership team he has been working with, Lee emphasizes the importance of alignment, clear expectations, and role-modelling accountability. He explains that a high-performing team does not necessarily require all high-performing individuals, but rather a shared understanding and direction. Lee encourages leaders to align their definiti...
How many teams do you have?
October 16, 2023 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBJoin Lee as he explores the concept of "Measure Mountain" and the importance of recognising and enabling effective teams within an organisation. Lee talks about the need to not only focus on the team delivering the 'valuable' work but also on other teams such as the leadership team. He encourages leaders to consider the horizontal lines of communication and collaboration, in addition to the vertical hierarchy. Lee challenges listeners to think about how many teams they really need and how t...
The Challenges Moving From Internal Lean Practitioner To External Consultant with Sam Morgan
October 08, 2023 23:00 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBIn this episode of the podcast, host Lee is joined by guest Sam Morgan to discuss the challenges and mindset shifts involved in starting your own business and helping others as a change leader. Sam shares his personal journey from being introduced to Lean principles to realizing his passion for empowering people and helping them unlock their potential. They delve into the importance of building trust and confidence, taking small steps towards goals, and overcoming self-doubt. They also explo...
When it Feels Real it is Real. 9 Months to 100km
October 01, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBLee shares a personal experience that has made him reflect on the importance of making challenges and changes feel real for people. He discusses his decision to participate in two charity events, the London Marathon and a 100-kilometre ultra event, and how it only became real for him when he started sharing it with others and receiving donations. Lee explores the significance of emotional attachment and involvement in driving motivation and commitment, emphasising the importance of communic...
Are You Really Comfortable With Silence Internally And Externally
September 24, 2023 23:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBLee discusses the importance of silence in both the external and internal world. He emphasises the need to create spaces for silence in meetings to allow people time to think and truly engage in the conversation. Lee challenges listeners to consider their comfort level with silence and how it affects their ability to listen and ask better questions. He suggests avoiding padding or justifying questions, and instead giving people the space and time to think before exploring their understandin...
Are your questions preventing you from GETTING BETTER
September 18, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBLee explores the difference between getting by and getting better in business. He emphasises the importance of asking the right questions to promote continuous improvement and challenges leaders to reflect on the questions they ask their teams. Lee discusses the three key factors to consider when asking questions: the type of question, the environment in which it is asked, and the person being asked. He provides examples of questions that promote getting by versus getting better and encoura...
Empty Happiness Empty Improvement - Are yYou Getting Better or Getting By?
September 10, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBIn this episode, I delve into the intriguing concept of "empty happiness" and "empty improvement." It's fascinating how we often confuse fleeting moments of joy with genuine, lasting happiness that we experience when we look back on our life's journey. This parallels the world of business, where I've witnessed countless instances of efforts aimed at improvement that ultimately lead to no substantial change. My exploration will illuminate the path toward transformation in both personal and pr...
Leadership Lessons From Lees Little Ones
September 03, 2023 23:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBIn this special episode, host Lee takes a reflective journey by engaging in conversations with his two children, Jack and India. Jack, aged 10, shares his insights on what makes a good manager, drawing from his love of football and admiration for figures like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, 8-year-old India expresses her aspirations to become a teacher or business worker, emphasising the importance of helping others and always doing one's best. Through these conversations, Lee realises the need to hav...
Policy deployment cascading the metrics and strategy, gaining alignment. Do you do it wrong_
August 27, 2023 23:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBLee discusses the challenge that many organisations face when it comes to deploying their strategies effectively. He emphasises the importance of engaging employees and creating a more meaningful and collaborative approach to strategy deployment. Lee introduces a framework of three key questions: Why are we doing this, what do our people need to be, and what elements do we need in place to achieve our goals? By answering these questions and involving the team in the process, leaders can cre...
Opportunities Are Always There But Not Everyone Sees Them
August 20, 2023 23:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBLee explores the concept of opportunities and how they are perceived and acted upon. He shares a simple anecdote about a coin glued to the floor to illustrate how some people may not see opportunities while others may misinterpret them. Lee emphasizes the importance of mindset, work ethic, and consistent questioning in recognizing and seizing opportunities for improvement. KEY TAKEAWAYS Opportunities are all around us, but not everyone sees them or takes advantage of them. It is importan...
Do You Want to Be Safe or Strong?
August 14, 2023 00:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBRather than being a black-or-white question, the gap between safe and strong tends to be a sliding scale as only caution can build safety and only risk can result in strength. Lee looks at this balancing conundrum in the context of creating change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Initially, you may want your people to be safe so they can confidently try repeatedly and possibly fail more comfortably. Do you provide answers, templates, and constant guidance for your people, or are you allowing them to fail a...
Change Management and Sun Cream: Surprising Similarities
August 06, 2023 23:00 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBIn this episode of Business Problems Solved, host Lee Horton draws an unexpected analogy between change management and sun cream. He reflects on his recent family holiday and compares the role of change management in protecting individuals from the harmful effects of change to the function of sun cream in shielding people from the sun. Lee emphasises the importance of recognising that change affects individuals differently and that different levels of support and communication may be necessa...
The Main Reasons You Face Resistance To Change And How To Overcome Them
July 30, 2023 23:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBWhen applying change in various organisations Lee has found resistance a common problem. In this episode, he identifies the key reasons why it is so often encountered and how you can circumvent them. KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to share what we are thinking clearly with everyone when we explain the reasons for change. If people do not understand the rationale behind the decisions it is easy for them to discard or ignore them. Change brings uncertainty. People worry about what change will mea...
Creating-an-Improvement-Strategy
July 23, 2023 23:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBHow do you create an ongoing strategy to facilitate change in the long term rather than just being reactive to current problems? Lee notes some key points to bear in mind when forming a plan for others to follow to create change well into the future as well as right now. KEY TAKEAWAYS Use technology to help to achieve your goals. Systemically find problems to solve by engaging your people, metrics and identifying targets. Create a new system, or adapt one that already exists. Know your...
5 Years On And Chris’ 3 Lessons
July 16, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBLee reflects on the past five years since his friend Chris’ passing as well as Chris’ three lessons that have been so intrinsic in leading change in that time, and his dive into those lessons that he has experienced since his loss. KEY TAKEAWAYS When you allow people to be themselves, we are all so vastly different. It’s our differences that make progress possible. Always be your authentic self. Make good friends. Time is limited. BEST MOMENTS ‘All the way through school I was the ki...
Your Ability is Second to Your Capability in The Eyes of Whom You Help
July 09, 2023 23:00 - 10 minutes - 9.85 MBLee discusses how amongst change leaders when challenging people’s thinking to move closer to the goal, your credibility can be much more important than your ability to influence. KEY TAKEAWAYS A challenge can be uncomfortable, but the important thing is your subject’s view of you and your credibility in their opinion. It can often be easier to gain credibility as an external change person. Build trust and credibility with the leaders that you are supporting. BEST MOMENTS ‘Imagine ...
The Think Feel, Say, Do Gap
July 02, 2023 23:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBThe ‘Say, Do Gap’ is the delay between when people say they are going to do something and when they actually do it or the difference in quality between what they say they are going to achieve and what they actually produce. Lee talks about an extra stage in this process, the ‘Think Feel’ stage. KEY TAKEAWAYS If we can influence the thoughts and feelings of our people then we have a chance of influencing the culture of our organisation. If someone feels that an environment is not safe to...
Lean, Leadership, and Honest Hard Work with Steve Rames
June 22, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBIn this episode of Business Problem Solved, Lee chats with Steve Rames, a global director of a Fortune 100 American corporate. Steve shares his journey from a YTS scheme to a corporate director, his passion for Lean, and the importance of honesty and hard work. Lee and Steve discuss Steve's journey from a production line to a global director, his experience with Lean and Six Sigma, and the importance of honesty and hard work in his career. They also discuss the challenges of leadership, the ...
Make Silence Acceptable - Output Doesn't Always Mean Your People Are Engaged
June 18, 2023 23:00 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBOne measure of a successful meeting can be the amount and share of vocal engagement experienced during the discussion. However, this is far from being an absolute requirement and there are exceptions as Lee explains in this episode. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes people are fully engaged when they are thinking. People often fill space vocally as this is often rewarded. Silence is necessary. Silence occurs when people are fully considering what they have heard and working on solutions. Encoura...
A Career With Water, From The Sea to Cells Not Shells With James Edmondson
June 11, 2023 23:00 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBIn this episode, Lee chats with James Edmondson, an experienced and results-oriented Agile leader and systemic team coach, with a reputation for working collaboratively with senior teams in both operational and head office environments. He is a people focussed leader with highly attuned emotional intelligence that enables strong relationships at all levels and also a veteran with over 20 years of experience working collaboratively under pressure and with a character that inspires the very be...