I am not Bob the Builder

I had one of those moments last week.

Someone brought me a problem and before they’d even finished explaining it…I was already solving it… In my head - out loud - possibly with a bonus action plan

Very efficient, very helpful, completely unnecessary

Because about halfway through, they said: “I think I just needed to talk it through”. Right.

That moment where you realise you’ve been helpful…but not actually helpful. There’s something quietly funny about how often this shows up. As leaders, we get very good at having answers so good, in fact, that we forget to check if one is needed

Coaching, it turns out, is slightly less about wisdom and slightly more about restraint. Listening a bit longer asking one more question holding back that very tempting solution. It’s not as dramatic but it tends to land better

So here’s a small challenge for the week: Next time someone brings you a problem, wait just a little longer than feels comfortable, ask one more question than you normally would and see what happens.

Chances are, they didn’t need your answer, they needed the space to find their own.

Curious what you notice if you try it

#Leadership #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #WaysOfWorking #Curiosity