Coach Dan's Blog

tldr; Directives are the siren song of efficiency that actually kill curiosity. If you want a team that thinks for themselves, stop giving them the answers. Today we look at how to build psychological safety, lead with questions, and start creating an environment of empowerment, today! In my last message, I talked about the Directive Style —that siren song of efficiency that actually acts as a "Checklist Trap," killing curiosity and stalling growth. It feels good to have all the answers, doesn't it? But as discussed, if you're the one approving every minor decision, you aren't leading; you're just creating a bottleneck. If you want a team that thrives even when you're on vacation, you have to stop assigning tasks and start coaching outcomes. So, how do we actually make the shift? It starts with Psychological Safety . If you just announce on a Tuesday that everyone is "empowered" and expect magic, I suspect you’ll be sorely disappointed. Empowerme...

tldr; Directiveness feels efficient, but it’s often a "Checklist Trap" that kills curiosity and stalls growth. If you find yourself doing all the talking or approving every minor decision, you aren't just managing—you’re dismantling your team's potential.  Explore some red-flags and warning signs, and try something new to unleash the greatness within your team.

  tldr ; When managers get involved in resolving differences of perspective or opinion, rather than challenge their teams to work together to solve problems - they engage in a game of professional “telephone” that drains efficiency and kills engagement.  The reliance on management kills efficiency, builds silos, and prevents team growth. Leaders should stop being "problem solvers" and start being "problem advisors" by encouraging staff to handle interpersonal friction themselves, ultimately fostering a culture of accountability and psychological safety.

tldr; Awareness is the first step, but action is where the transformation lives. If the "Vacation Test" revealed that you have opportunities to improve, the next step isn't just to "step back"—it’s to intentionally build the safety and clarity your team needs to step up. Today, we look at how to move from being the Hero to being the Guide.

tldr; If you are trying to scale your transformation by handing out "quick tips" and checklists, you aren't changing your culture—you’re just increasing the noise. True transformation requires moving past the assignment of tasks and, instead doing the hard work of shifting mindsets. Greatness is grown, not installed. I was speaking with one of my leaders recently who was frustrated. They had seen the slide decks. They sat through the Town Halls.  They had read the inspiring messages from Sr. Leadership. They had followed the "Transformation Playbook." They ticked the box on every checklist. On paper, they were winning. On the floor? People were exhausted, cynical, and—worst of all—some were just "playing along." This is the Checklist Trap . It’s the belief that if we just provide enough "instructions," we can bypass the messy, human work of change. But here’s the reality: You can’t install culture like it’s a software update. The Allure of ...

  tldr ; It has been suggested that I type... a lot. So, here is the short version! If you stepped away for a month, would your team thrive or dive? We often blame our teams for bottlenecks, but the hard truth is that the bottleneck is usually us . This week's post offers a simple 4-step "Coaching Challenge" to help you identify where you are hoarding control and how to empower your team to win without you. It’s been nice to have some time off for the holidays.  I hope you all were able to disconnect, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. For me, the quiet moments away from work are always the most fertile ground for reflection. I spent some time thinking on my own career journey—the wins, the losses, and the messy middle parts. During one of these quiet moments, a question popped into my head. It’s a scary one, but I want you to sit with it for a moment: "What would happen if you had to take a month off starting tomorrow—no email, no messaging, no phone...