Stop Solving Problems For Your Team—Start Coaching Them Instead

One of the most pivotal shifts a leader can make is moving from being the answer-giver to becoming the question-asker. Too often, leaders feel pressured to be the smartest person in the room—the fixer, the rescuer, the one who always knows what to do. But if you’re always the one solving the problems, your team will never grow beyond their dependence on you…and that’s a problem!

Here’s the truth: great leaders don’t build followers who rely on them—they build thinkers who rely on themselves.

When a team member brings a challenge to you, flip the script. Instead of offering an immediate solution, ask them this: “What are two or three potential solutions you’ve considered?”

That one question does three powerful things:

It builds ownership – They begin to see the issue as theirs to solve, not yours.
It fosters creativity – They are encouraged to think critically and stretch their problem-solving muscles.
It reveals hidden potential – You might discover that they have better insight than you expected.

Once they’ve laid out their ideas, choose one (or ask them to) and follow up with, “Great—let’s move forward with that. How will you ensure it gets done?”

Now you’re leading through coaching, not control. And here’s the catch: People will always feel more accountable for ideas they generated themselves. When they commit to their own solutions, they’re far more likely to follow through with focus and passion. Remember, people support what they help create.

This is where real leadership influence kicks in. You’re not just driving results; you’re developing leaders.

Add this to your leadership toolbox: