Thoughts:
“Great leaders don’t solve every problem—they guide their teams to become problem solvers.”
“Every challenge is an opportunity to teach your team to think critically and grow confidently.”
“The best leaders turn every problem into a training ground for better decision-making.”
Do you ever feel like your team relies on you for every single decision?
It’s exhausting, right?
Here’s a simple framework that’ll change how you lead and how your team solves problems.
Leading a team doesn’t mean solving every problem for them.
In fact, that’s the fastest way to overwhelm yourself and stunt your team’s growth.
Great leaders empower their team to think critically and make decisions.
Enter the 1-3-1 Rule, a game-changer from Dan Martell.
Instead of giving answers, you guide your team to solve problems on their own.
This isn’t just about delegation—it’s about building a culture of ownership and accountability.
Insights:
The 1-3-1 Rule works because it forces clarity, encourages creativity, and builds confidence in your team.
When people are involved in solving problems, they take more ownership of the outcomes.
Plus, you free up your time to focus on strategy instead of constantly putting out fires.
A strong team isn’t one that leans on you for everything—it’s one that thrives because of the systems and guidance you provide.
Strategy:
I’ll explain how the 1-3-1 Rule works.
First, you start with clarity by asking…
What is the problem?
Start by asking your team member to clearly articulate the issue.
This eliminates vague complaints and focuses on the core challenge.
It’s often how some people can’t articulate the problem they want to solve.
You must ensure you don’t waste resources on solving invisible or manufactured problems.
What are the three options?
Ask them to come up with three viable solutions.
This encourages creative problem-solving and avoids the “I don’t know what to do” trap.
They must always know what to do even if it’s not the best solution.
And often times, if they’re in charge of that department, one of the solutions will be something they can start doing now.
What is your recommendation?
Finally, ask them to choose the best solution and explain why.
This empowers them to own their decisions while giving you the chance to weigh in if needed.
I’ve done this multiple times, and I can tell you that, most times, there’s one better solution they can implement now.
While you look for something better.
Sometimes I consolidate multiple solutions they provided into one. A new solution.
Now some of my staff hardly come to me for solutions because they end up figuring it out when thinking of 3 solutions.
3 Action Steps:
Teach the 1-3-1 Rule to Your Team:
Hold a meeting to explain the framework and why it’s important.
Tell them to start implementing it, starting today.
And whenever they ask for help, just say…
Watch what happens next.
Model the Rule Yourself:
When someone brings up a problem, don’t solve it for them. Use the framework instead.
It’s not just about business challenges alone. It works everywhere.
Celebrate Wins:
Highlight successful outcomes when your team uses the rule to build confidence in the process.
Very very important.
Celebrate them when they come up with the solution to a problem when finding the 3 solutions.
Leading with the 1-3-1 Rule transforms your team from order-takers into solution-makers.
And as they grow, so does your business.
Ready to learn more strategies for building a team and scaling your business?
Check out our programs and see how we can help you create systems that set your ecommerce business up for lasting success.
Your dream business starts with empowered leadership—let’s make it happen!
