Rescuing someone every time they struggle feels kind. It’s actually telling them you don’t think they can.
LEADERSHIP
WHAT THIS MEANS
Stepping in feels generous and it delivers a message the person hears clearly: this is beyond you. Do it enough and they stop attempting the hard part, not from laziness but because you have consistently arrived before the attempt finished. Real help is usually slower and less satisfying to give. It looks like staying nearby while somebody struggles through it.
Next time you can see someone about to have a hard time, wait. Ask whether they want help before you provide it. If they say no, stand where they can reach you and let them finish it themselves.
A QUESTION TO SIT WITH
Who do you rescue instead of letting them try?
MORE IN LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE
- Notice when someone improves, even a little, and say it out loud. Growth fed with attention keeps growing.
- Changing your mind in front of everyone isn’t weakness. It shows people you care more about right than about winning.
- Every team eventually forgets the pep talk. They never forget who covered their shift when things got bad.
Free, with nothing to buy inside it.