Alisha Foster

Posted 7/31/2023

Let me start by saying this is not my original concept. I was scrolling through TikTok one day and encountered an individual discussing the 1-3-1 Rule. This concept is one I wish I heard about earlier in my leadership career, but as they say, better late than never. So what is the 1-3-1 Rule, and how do we utilize it within leadership and as individual contributors?

We've all experience pain points, impediments, processes that just aren't working, and other things that make our day-to-day work more difficult. Many of us have taken those complaints straight to our leadership and said, "Hey, this isn't working," but how many of you have come up with ideas or solutions you've thought through when presenting those issues? Don't get me wrong, I've worked with some great individuals who always have at least one idea to share when they come to me talking through pain points, but more often than not, I hear the pain point without an idea accompanying it. While I attempt to be someone who presents an issue with at least one solution idea, I have gotten caught in the cycle of complaining without solutions, too. The 1-3-1 Rule will help us avoid the complaint cycle without helping solve the issues.

It's easy to go into a 1-on-1 and list out all of the problems you're facing, and there is absolutely a time and place for that. As a leader, I encourage these discussions occasionally because it helps me see the big picture instead of one isolated pain point. Still, this is not a helpful approach to problem-solving if this is the only method utilized. The first "1" in our 1-3-1 Rule is:

Pick one problem to focus on.

In our never-ending list of pain points and impediments that can occur, we need to focus on one. Deciding which is the most important can be difficult, but prioritizing the list of pain points and impediments is crucial to fixing them. So in this step, pick one from the list you want to focus on.

Now that you have identified the one problem to focus on, it's time to come up with three possible solutions to that problem. This can be tricky. Some pain points feel hopeless when they've been happening for so long, but trust the process. This is the phase where no idea is a bad idea! Offering up solutions help you to grow your problem-solving skills and can also help those you're discussing the issue with by providing a baseline idea that can be iterated upon. Maybe one of your solution ideas will take a year to implement, but some quick wins can reduce the pain felt in a matter of weeks within that large solution. Personally and professionally, a situation I encounter frequently is hearing or offering up an idea with some unaddressed gaps. The idea is good, and we can collaborate to address the gaps and improve the original suggestion. Also, don't be afraid to present a solution in this phase, even if you know the gaps. Think of this like your brainstorming phase. As an individual contributor, if you want to grow into a senior role or leadership role, this is a great way to practice those problem-solving skills. If you're already a leader, this is a great way to help start the collaboration around problem-solving with your peers and higher-level leadership. Once three ideas have been shared, it's time to move to the next step.

The Last 1

We can't go after all three solutions simultaneously, so this is where we pick one solution to press forward with. Analyze the three solutions. Which is the best approach to present and try? Which is the best to share, and why is it the best to share? This is when you sell your ideas, build a story, and get buy-in for that solution. Remember, iteration can happen with these solutions, but this is the one you really feel is the best solution after thinking through the return on investment (ROI), the cost and complexity of the solution, how much time that solution will take to implement, and the overall quality of that solution.

Start small. If you are a leader looking to help grow your team in this area, start with a 1-1 rule. One problem, one solution idea. Have your direct reports come up with only one possible solution and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the approach together. Decide together whether that solution is suitable to pursue or if more brainstorming should occur.

After a direct report is comfortable with a 1-1 rule, increase to a 1-2-1 rule. This gives the extra challenge of thinking through two possible solutions and choosing the best one. Practice this for a while before increasing to the 1-3-1 Rule.

Practicing this approach will help build these skills and increase the plausible solutions created when brainstorming. And remember, no one is perfect, and raising impediments when they exist is better than staying silent if you don't have a solution. The goal is growth, not perfection.