Coaching Isn't About Fixing

I used to think coaching was about providing the solution — you know, fixing things that seemed broken.

If a project was behind, I’d jump in.

If a process broke, I’d address it.

If a person was struggling, I’d offer solutions.

In hindsight, while that may have gotten things moving, it was kind of a disaster from the perspective of people development.

The turning point came when I realized my team often had better ideas than I did.

We were meeting to brainstorm solutions for a key feature of our new product. I already had a solution in mind and just needed to get the team on board with my direction. You know — coaching!

As I’m sure you’ve guessed – I was so wrong.

During the conversation, one of the team members suggested a completely different approach to solving the problem. It wasn’t just a new approach — it was almost the opposite of how my idea would work. This can’t be happening!

Pause. Breathe. Why am I having such a visceral reaction? Reflect. Does this solution make sense?

 "I should dig deeper."

In that moment, I had to turn off the emotional reaction and come at it from a new perspective. Questions ran through my mind:

• Will it actually work — both technically and from an end-user perspective?

• Does the team have the skills to deliver it?

• What am I missing by trying to control the outcome?

Turning It Around

That was the moment I realized what I truly needed to do: cultivate creativity, not control it.

I’d been in their shoes before — and what I had needed back then wasn’t necessarily direction, it was support and guidance.

So I listened to their ideas and challenges. I asked questions. I pushed back on assumptions and explored their reasoning — helping them see both themselves and the work differently.

Why This Matters

Fractional Leadership follows the same principle. It’s not about taking over; it’s about collaborating to build clarity, capability, and confidence within the existing team.

The real value isn’t in the advice — it’s in the conversation and the empowerment that comes from it.

If this resonates, I’d love to hear from you!

 👉 Have you ever had a moment when listening changed more than leading did?

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