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“Creating Successful Leaders”

August 19, 2026 New Learning to Sit with the Problem

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” –Albert Einstein

We are a nation of quick actions, and we often expect instantaneous results. We want the solution yesterday, and that sometimes prompts us to make hasty decisions—decisions that may not work in the long term. But what if we flipped this way of thinking on its head and intentionally spent more time considering the problem than going for the solution? How might that change things?

Traditional Problem-Solving Approaches

As I move deeper into retirement mode and officially step away from my career, I recognize that many skills we learn in the business world apply to everyday life (see my latest post on this topic). That’s certainly true with problem-solving. We all encounter issues, whether in the office, while taking a post-retirement RV trip, or navigating issues with a friend group or with family members. Whatever the case, it’s possible to engage in strategic problem-solving that goes beyond your impulse to fix things NOW.

If you’re like me, you enjoy brainstorming sessions. You’re energized by the creative process where you toss ideas onto a white board and see which ones stick. This is typical “yellow energy” behavior (see my post on the four Insights Discovery color energies to learn more). People like me enjoy spontaneous problem-solving, talking through difficulties, and offering off-the-cuff solutions. We also tend to adopt whichever solution seems like the best option without overthinking it or plunging too deeply into the analytics.

People on the other end of the spectrum (those who tend to lead with more blue energy) are not terribly fond of this method. They like a more analytical approach…and if a solution is offered, they will examine it closely to determine whether or not it might be a viable option.

Neither method is wrong, but both are lacking something in their approach. Some experts argue that focusing too much on solutions is the wrong way to go about problem-solving in the first place. They claim that you (or your team) will ultimately arrive at a better solution if you live in the problem for a while.

Let the Problem Marinate

The thinking behind this claim goes like this: You can’t really come up with a good solution until you understand the problem inside and out. So, instead either of tossing out whichever ideas pop into your head OR getting analytical with potential solutions, this method calls for everyone to take a step back and really examine the problem in front of them.

Author and Stanford professor, Tina Selig, calls this approach “frame storming.” She believes that if you want to unlock innovative solutions, you have to “fall in love with the problem.” Get to know it inside and out. Ask the tough questions that get to the heart of the issue.

By spending more time considering the problem, you are more likely to take into account all the factors that are at play. Who is affected? How? Does this particular problem create other problems? Would one type of solution only partially solve the problem or, perhaps, solve it for a short period of time?

This approach forces everyone to slow down and consider the dilemma in front of them, before taking action.

So, next time you are faced with a sticky problem, try “frame storming.” Spend more time immersed in the issue at hand before moving to a solution. This way of thinking can help you in all aspects of your life, whether professional or personal.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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August 5, 2026 Applying Your Skills and Talents to Retirement

Retirement can seem like an end, or the closing of a chapter. Since we naturally mourn endings, this might seem like a sad or confusing time for some people, especially those who have spent most of their lives in the rhythm of work. And those who tend to link their identity to their career (I wrote about this last month; click HERE for more).

But we do not necessarily need to think of retirement as an end. Instead, it could be a continuation—a continuation of all the skills, lessons, habits, and talents we have acquired during our careers.

Don’t Toss Your Skills Away

When you retire, there’s no need to throw away all the wisdom and practical skills you accumulated as a professional. In fact, I see that as both a disservice to yourself and others. You’ve spent hours building your skillset, acquiring expertise, and learning lessons of all types, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.

Instead, I challenge you to take an inventory of your competencies and start thinking about how they can be applied to a post-retirement life. This doesn’t mean you have to go back to work, but it could mean leading a committee, spearheading a volunteer initiative, or applying your creativity to a community project. Or it could simply mean helping your children or grandchildren by applying your background experience to their lives (admin and/or planning skills, artistic ability, communication prowess, etc.).

Alternatively, you could use your talents to plan leisure activities or getaways. Are you hoping to read more? Consider planning a book club (this could entail using communication, coordination, and planning skills). Looking to take a cross-country road trip? Put your logistics planning expertise to the test. Hoping to live abroad for part of the year? Use your love of lifelong learning to begin practicing a new language.

Reflecting on Skills

When thinking about the skills, do not discount anything as too small or seemingly insignificant. Start listing the abilities that come to mind. For example, you might excel at any of the following:

  • Leading a team
  • Engaging in tough conversations
  • Listening
  • Planning/coordination
  • Clear communication
  • Creativity (creative thinking, writing, and/or design)
  • Cheerleading or drumming up excitement/support
  • Analytics

Keep your list handy and add to it whenever you think of an additional skill. You might also ask your friends or family members what abilities or talents come to mind when they think of you.

Once you have your list, you can determine how these skills could apply to your retirement passions and/or projects. Are you hoping to volunteer at your grandchildren’s elementary school? You might use your artistic creativity to help with school plays, classroom art, etc. Would you like to volunteer in the community? You might lean on your communication abilities and leadership experience to spearhead an initiative.

In short: You’ve earned these skills, and they don’t have to fade away when you retire. Thinking of ways to employ them will help keep you sharp while simultaneously serving those around you. Your experience was hard-won, so why not carry it into this new chapter?

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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July 22, 2026 Retirement and Identity

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

I have officially retired and am in the process of winding down existing projects and responsibilities. Even this blog will come to a close before the end of this year. As I move forward into true retirement (not counting my first retirement from 3M), I have been thinking about who I am as a person without an official occupation and title. Who is Margaret Smith without the career coaching, consulting, public speaking, teaching, etc.? Will my identity change? Will people see me differently?

It is said that retirement can initially feel like grieving. Part of you pines for the rhythm of the workplace, the chats with co-workers, the assignments that fill your days and keep you focused. When you lose the structure and reliability of everyday work, that can be disorienting. You’re suddenly in charge of your own schedule and filling your own days; there are no fires to put out, emails to answer, or projects to complete.

And this brings us back to the issue of identity. Without the scaffolding of work propping you up, who are you?

I’ve found that people who have not put in the time to form social networks, develop a hobby, or join a volunteer group or other collective are more disoriented after retirement. In my experience, men are usually more affected than women, since many men rely on their co-workers as a primary social network and/or group. They might go golfing with work buddies or attend work-centric parties. But these groups of people may or may not be there for you after you leave the workplace.

In my own life, I have found meaning in retirement by amplifying my volunteering, meeting up with friends, attending social groups, and more. Since my son and daughter-in-law now live down the street from me, I also help them with everyday tasks, including looking after my grandsons.

To me, identity can and should go beyond your work. What causes do you believe in? Who are you in relation to others (a friend, a spouse, a parent, a mentor, etc.)? And how do you show up in the world? Do you make an effort to lead with kindness? Do you volunteer your time or dollars, and speak up against injustices? Do you let life happen to you, or do you grab it by the horns?

These are some of the questions you could ask yourself when considering your place after retirement. Instead of grieving what you’ve lost, reframe retirement as an opportunity—a chance to reinvent yourself, become more active in your community, form deeper bonds, and try the things you’ve always wanted to try. Start taking French cooking classes, or join a stained-glass workshop, or travel to the far-flung places you’ve always wanted to see.

All that time and space without the structure of work can seem daunting at first, but I’m confident you can fill it. And there’s no rush. Take some time to reflect on how you’d like to spend your days and years and consider what will bring you fulfillment and joy. This is how you can recapture your identity in retirement.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

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