Leaders Don’t Need to Swim in the “Solution Ocean”
Many leaders end their 1:1s with an ever-growing to-do list — piling on tasks, solving problems, and carrying the weight of their team’s challenges. Sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be this way.
In my work coaching leaders, I often see this dynamic play out, especially with newer leaders eager to prove their worth to both their team and their boss. It’s a natural tendency — stepping in as the problem-solver feels productive, shows expertise, and seems like leadership in action. But the truth is, constantly being the answer-bank for your team isn’t sustainable, and it can actually stunt their growth.
The more impactful (and often harder) skill is influence. It takes patience, intentionality, and trust — but it builds your personal brand and executive presence far beyond being the fixer.
Shift the Dynamic: Let Them Captain Their Own Ship
Instead of jumping into “Solution Ocean,” what if you set the expectation that employees are responsible for building their own success? Here’s how to foster that shift:
✅ Start your 1:1s with curiosity: “What do you want to walk away with from today’s conversation?” This small question builds ownership, direction, and clarity.
✅ Focus on expectations, intentions, and accountability to self. Let them lead the discussion. You are their resource — not their rescue.
✅ Replace constant advice-giving with thoughtful coaching. Probe their ideas, encourage reflection, and spark clarity.
✅ Use active listening with simple, powerful prompts like: “Tell me more…”
Grow Their Leadership Muscles
When leaders cultivate curiosity, creativity, clarity, connectedness, compassion, calmness, confidence, and courage — their team members step into their authentic leadership. They own their careers. They problem-solve more effectively. They shine.
And here’s the bonus: You leave your 1:1s energized, confident in your people, and ready to showcase your team’s strengths across the organization. You become known as a resource, advocate, influencer, and developer of talent — not the person drowning in tasks.
Great leaders don’t solve it all — they build teams who can.
Let your team members be the captains of their own ships. You steer the culture, influence outcomes, and help them discover their superpowers.
Stop swimming in the Solution Ocean — start leading with influence.
💡 I’d love to hear from you — How do you empower your teams to own their careers and build their confidence? What’s worked for you in avoiding the trap of constant problem-solving?
Let’s learn from each other. Drop your ideas or experiences in the comments.
#Leadership #ExecutivePresence #CoachingCulture #Influence #TeamDevelopment
