Type Of Problems.

Last week, I was asked by a senior manager over dinner on an employee, who was an expert in bringing problems to his table. I asked him:
1. Are the problems of the same type everytime ?
2. Are the problems of different types everytime ?
If it is the former, clearly, the employee has an attitude problem and is testing his boss. Maybe, a wrong selection...could be taken thru' attitudinal training and check for progress or exited.
If it is the latter, clearly, the employee has a competence problem and needs to go thru' training about the job and check for progress or exited.
To be a successful and effective manager, it is imperative to understand, the type of problems coming to our table and then take actions chronically and not to tackle symptoms.