Karen, the COO of a financial services company. Ed, the righthand person to the leader of a thriving nonprofit. Sally, a director who serves alongside the CEO of a professional services company. Janelle, the righthand person to a college president. Stan, the executive pastor of a mega-church. These are just a few of the amazing fixers our team has run into in the past few years.
But not all fixers model character; for instance, Harry DeSouza, the 'fixer' for the Harrigan crime family in the TV series Mobland, and Rip Wheeler, the 'fixer' and occasional bruiser for John Dutton in the TV show Yellowstone. Their roles often require them to compromise their ethics for the sake of the job.
All fixers have a few things in common, and these traits are what make them so vital to the successful leaders we more often see and hear. Exceptional fixers have these seven traits in common.
1. They make the noise go away.
Today’s leaders are inundated with complex issues in constant motion. It can be overwhelming and is why smart leaders have at least one, and sometimes more, fixers to make some of that never-ending noise go away. Fixers free the leader up to focus on opportunities or problems that require their most valued attention.
2. They listen carefully and quickly.
A good fixer seeks to understand what is needed by both the leader and the larger organization. What is the challenge being faced? What is the obstacle that needs to be overcome? This requires listening, and listening quickly, since good fixers sometimes have to act fast without the luxury of perfect understanding.
3. They anticipate “what next?”
One superpower of fixers is they can anticipate what is up ahead and make sure important details don’t slip through the cracks. Important financial statements. Board meeting preparation. Legal filings. Important team meetings. Fixers have an amazing capacity for tracking a lot of details that cannot be forgotten without serious consequences for the leader and the organization.
4. They develop and nurture networks of relationships.
I bet you know someone who seems to know just about everyone! Need an accountant or lawyer? They have just the person. Need a contractor to fix something? They know one. Need a counselor? The fixer knows three of them! Need a financial planner? Yep – they know a few of those too. Fixers have a breadth of professionals or other well-networked people they know and trust, and they use that network to make other leaders successful.
5. They find solutions.
One of the common frustrations expressed by owners and leaders is when a team member brings a problem to them but offers nothing in the way of solutions. Successful fixers know better than to mention the problem without also bringing a few potential solutions. Identifying problems is the easy work, and most of us have mastered it. But fixers move past the problem by identifying high potential ways of solving it. And this is one of things leaders love most about them!
6. They take action and are determined to finish the job.
Over the past 40 years of serving in a variety of leadership roles, I have sat in countless meetings where I heard… Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. And… More talk! But I have found that sometimes, people can’t land the implementation plane even if it is 75 degrees and sunny, with clear skies and zero breeze. On the other hand, fixers take action and finish the job.
7. They are highly trustworthy to those they serve.
Some fixers hold senior level titles. Others have responsibility and access that far outreaches their official positions. But regardless of title or position, the best fixers are extraordinarily trustworthy. Their leaders have confidence in them, sometimes entrusting them with very sensitive or personal information. Their character, dependability, loyalty and follow-through results in deep trust. An example of this from history was Hushai, a loyal warrior and companion of King David from ancient Israel. He even earned the title “the king’s friend.” All because of his consistent, trust-earning service.
Do you have a fixer on your team? If not, it may be time to add one. If you already have one on your team, be sure to let them know the value they bring to you, the team, and the organization. And, if you happen to be the fixer – know that you play a vital role in both the success of the leadership and the success of the mission.
Contact us to learn how our experienced consultants can help you create a positive culture within your team.
Jay Desko is the President & CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
We are hearing it from organizations of every size: leaders are struggling to step up under pressure. Here are five ways to build courage and resilience into your leadership and your team.