As my daughter takes virtual classes and I work remotely, I’ve noticed an interesting pattern regarding her schoolwork. She frequently asks me questions, often about things she could easily look up herself (an exaggeration, but you get the idea). I quickly realized the need to address this.

This experience led me to reflect on leadership. What happens when leaders consistently provide all the answers for their teams?

🔻Shifting Responsibility and Ownership – Team members may lose their sense of accountability.

🔻Stifling Thinking and Creativity – Relying on the leader for answers hinders independent problem-solving.

🔻Limiting Growth Opportunities – Without the space to tackle challenges, team members miss critical development moments.

Leadership isn’t about solving every issue—it’s about fostering trust, collaboration, and autonomy. Here’s how you can guide your team effectively:

✔ Provide Input on Options Presented – Encourage team members to bring solutions to the table and offer constructive feedback.

✔ Ask Open-Ended Questions – “What do you think could work?” helps spark critical thinking without embedding solutions.

✔ Redirect to Other Experts – If someone else on the team is better equipped to answer, involve them and build collaborative problem-solving skills.

Leaders often feel pressure to have all the answers, but true leadership is about inspiring action and fostering growth. By resisting the urge to jump in with a solution, you create a culture of trust and creativity where team members feel empowered to think, innovate, and take ownership of their work.

Successful leadership isn’t about doing it all; it’s about motivating others to achieve more than they believed possible. Let your team grow by guiding rather than solving.