Day 21: Meet Problems Head-On

Identifying needs, sacrificing comfort, and taking risks are all inherent to impactful leadership. These are the moments that define us. But, like Jesus experienced when He raised Lazarus, even solving a problem doesn’t always produce applause. Sometimes, your solutions stir resistance.

Problems are inevitable. How we respond to them shapes the environment we build for our families, teams, and organizations.

Many leaders leave problems unresolved for three key reasons:

1. They are unaware of the problem's existence (due to poor information flow).
2. They dislike or fear confrontation.
3. They avoid ownership.

Let's discuss ways to meet problems head-on and grow through resistance.

Growing Through Resistance

Many of us enjoy resistance training. It breaks us down temporarily, but we recover stronger. That’s the miracle of growth.

What if we viewed life’s challenges the same way?

I often say:

Life is like a weight room—full of things that can either crush you or make you stronger. It all depends on your perspective.

That sounds great on paper, but do we live that out when resistance hits us head-on?

Nehemiah: A Masterclass in Facing Resistance

Nehemiah is one of my favorite biblical leaders.

When he heard about Jerusalem’s broken-down walls—symbols of defeat, disgrace, and vulnerability—he didn’t just feel sad. He wept, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4).
But he didn’t stop there.

Nehemiah took ownership of the problem. He asked King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:5), surveyed the damage (Nehemiah 2:13), and mobilized the people to begin construction.

Then came the mockers (aka "the resistance"):

What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing?

-Nehemiah 4:2 (NLT)

When mockery failed, the opposition escalated to threats (Nehemiah 4:8).
Nehemiah didn’t flinch. He rallied the people:

Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight…

-Nehemiah 4:14 (NLT)

Here's the impressive part: They continued building with one hand on a weapon and the other on the work (Nehemiah 4:17). Despite constant opposition, Nehemiah completed the wall in 52 days. His leadership restored Israel’s identity and reminded everyone that God was with them (Nehemiah 6:15–16).

What can we learn from Nehemiah so we can grow through resistance as we meet problems head-on?

3 Practical Ways to Meet Problems Head-On

1. Hunt for problems and inefficiencies.

Just because you don’t see a problem doesn’t mean it’s not there. Flatten your communication structure so truth can reach you. Create a psychological safety culture so that team members aren’t afraid to raise issues. Don’t let bureaucracy bury the truth.

2. Don’t shy away from hard conversations.

Remember the playground scuffles with my brothers? Our conflict resolution left much to be desired, but it taught me not to fear confrontation. Great leaders build cultures where constructive conflict is normal and even healthy. Equip your team with essential tools such as active listening, de-escalation techniques, and solution-oriented feedback.

3. If you can influence it, it’s your problem.

It’s easy to say, “That’s a systemic issue,” as we attribute bad leadership to an abstract "system." But if you have a seat at the table, you have influence and you are a part of the "system." One of my mentors, Army LTC Ike Henderson, told me:

Don’t waste your seat at the table.

Own the issues, and be a part of the solution.

The Foundational Truth:

Bold leadership embraces resistance with purpose. When you choose to face problems directly, you create a culture of growth, resilience, and trust. Nehemiah didn’t run from resistance—he leaned into it. So should we.