For many leaders this is the time of year when it’s easy to slip back into old habits: solving every problem, filling every gap, and carrying the team’s energy on your shoulders.
But here’s the paradox: the more we rush to fix and do, the less space we leave for others to think, grow, and lead.
A coaching mindset flips that script.
When leaders act as coaches, they move from being the hero to being the catalyst. Instead of offering quick answers, they ask better questions. Instead of managing performance, they develop potential. Instead of leading with urgency, they lead with curiosity and create conditions where people take ownership and grow.
Through my coaching work with leaders, I hear the same patterns again and again:
“I don’t have time for coaching conversations.” (Yet coaching saves time in the long run by building capable, confident team members.)
“My team expects me to have all the answers.” (They’ll grow faster when they start finding their own.)
“I don’t want them to fail.” (But small, supported failures are how people learn to lead.)
“It feels faster to just do it myself.” (Until doing it all becomes unsustainable.)
The truth is: people don’t grow from being managed. They grow from being coached — through intentional questions, feedback, and the space to think things through for themselves.
This fall, as you reset your leadership rhythm, try defining a few simple habits to help you lead with more curiosity and less control:
Begin your one-on-ones with open-ended questions like, “What’s most important for us to explore today?” or “Where do you feel most energized right now?”
When someone brings you a problem, ask, “What have you already tried?” before offering advice.
Protect a few minutes each week to reflect on how you’re developing others, not just what you’re delivering.
Notice your default reactions — do you jump to solve, or pause to listen?
Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping others find theirs.
As you move into this season of renewed focus and structure, ask yourself:
How can you show up more as a coach — creating the kind of space where others can grow into their best selves?
