Let It Burn Framework

A management philosophy about letting problems resolve themselves rather than immediately intervening. Based on the discussion between Andrew Wilkinson and Sam Parr about handling business challenges.

Core Concept

• When facing problems, sometimes the best approach is to "let it burn" rather than immediately jumping in to fix things
• Problems often resolve themselves without intervention
• Over-involvement can create dependency and prevent people from developing problem-solving skills

Key Principles

• Delayed Response Strategy

  • Take 4 hours to respond instead of 10 minutes
  • People often figure things out on their own when given time
  • Train people that you don't respond quickly unless it's a genuine emergency

• Problem Resolution

  • Many issues that seem critical will survive or get stronger without intervention
  • When you don't jump in to solve problems, people develop their own solutions
  • Letting things "burn" often leads to stronger, more resilient outcomes

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Creating Dependency
  • If you constantly solve people's problems, they'll keep coming back for solutions
  • Jumping in too quickly prevents others from developing problem-solving skills
  • Quick responses train people to rely on you rather than think independently

Implementation Tips

• Set Expectations

  • Train people that non-emergency issues don't require immediate response
  • Create clear guidelines for what constitutes a true emergency
  • Allow time for others to develop their own solutions

• Build Resilience

  • Trust that systems and people can handle challenges without constant oversight
  • Accept that some stress and difficulty is part of the growth process
  • Resist the urge to immediately fix every problem that arises