You should always be available to counsel and guide employees, but don't let them drop every little problem on your doorstep. Here's how to turn staff members into problem- solvers:

. Encourage them to work with other departments. If they're working on a project for the marketing department, ask them to talk directly with people in that department about any questions or delays. You're not shirking your duties; you're giving your staff a chance to forge ties with people throughout the organization.

. Show them where to look for help. Teach staff members to use outside resources whenever they can't solve a problem themselves. Examples: Call a trade association to check facts, cultivate experts in various industries to use as sources or contact customers to gain insight.

. Know when to step in. If you know employees are struggling with a problem, don't leave them to drown. Offer your guidance when they've exhausted other reasonable resources.

. Thank them when they handle a problem without your help. Let them know how their resourcefulness helped you do your job. Example: "Because you handled the delivery problems yesterday, I was finally able to finish the budget."