Are You Solving or Supporting?

As leaders, we're often torn between two seemingly opposing forces: the urge to jump in and solve problems, and the desire to empower our teams to find their own solutions.

It's a delicate dance. Solve too much, and you become a bottleneck, stifling your team's growth and creating dependency. Support too little, and you risk leaving them feeling lost and unsupported.

So, how do we find the support sweet spot?

First, let's acknowledge that both solving and supporting have their place. There are times when it's absolutely appropriate to step in and provide direct guidance, especially when dealing with urgent or complex situations.

But more often than not, our role as leaders is to support, not just solve.

Here's the difference:

• Solving is about providing answers and taking over.

• Supporting is about asking powerful questions, providing resources, and creating a safe space for others to find their own way.

How to be a better supporter:

• Ask, Don't Tell: Instead of jumping in with a solution, ask questions like: "What have you already tried? What are your options? What's your gut telling you?"

• Offer Resources, Not Answers: Share relevant articles, connect them with experts, or point them to helpful tools, but resist the urge to give them the "right" answer.

• Be a Sounding Board: Listen actively, without judgment, and reflect back what you're hearing. Sometimes, all people need is a safe space to think out loud.

This week's challenge? Pay attention to your interactions with your team. Are you leaning more towards solving or supporting? See if you can shift the balance towards support by asking more questions and offering resources instead of answers.

Finding the support sweet spot is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It requires self-awareness, empathy, and a willingness to let go of control.

But in my experience, the rewards are immense: a more empowered, engaged, and capable team, and a more fulfilling leadership experience for you.

Have a supportive and empowering week ahead!!