Do you feel like you're constantly firefighting at work?

Your team is capable, yet the problems keep landing back on your desk. In this episode, Dr Marcia Reynolds explains why leaders often become the bottleneck for problem-solving — and how a few simple questions can build teams that think for themselves.

In Episode 25, we explored emotional presence. In this follow-up conversation, we focus on practical leadership application.

Ruth Saw welcomes back Dr Marcia Reynolds. She is a Master Certified Coach, former President of the International Coaching Federation, and bestselling author of Coach the Person, Not the Problem.

Together they explore why capable teams sometimes become dependent on leaders, and how simple shifts in conversations can unlock initiative, ownership, and independent thinking.

Because leadership isn’t about solving every problem.

It’s about building teams who can solve problems without you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• Why capable teams still wait to be told what to do
• How leaders unintentionally create dependency by giving answers too quickly
• A powerful question that unlocks independent thinking
• What to do when your team says “I don’t know”
• How to balance coaching conversations with clear expectations
• Why clarifying the problem sparks creative thinking

If you’re a leader who feels stretched from solving problems for everyone else, this episode offers simple shifts you can apply immediately.

Featured Book

Coach the Person, Not the Problem (Second Edition)

Dr Marcia Reynolds’ bestselling book has been translated into multiple languages and is widely used by leaders and coaches worldwide. The new edition offers practical tools for creating breakthrough conversations and developing stronger teams.

🔗 Get the Book on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Coach-Person-Not-Problem-Second/dp/B0FBVFQ6ZP/

✨ Bonus for Readers
After you purchase the book, you can access a companion bonus (toolkit) designed to help you apply these principles in real leadership conversations.

Access your bonus here: https://covisioning.com/your-book-bonus/

Connect with Dr. Marcia Reynolds

Website https://covisioning.com
Book Page: https://covisioning.com/coach-the-person-not-the-problem-2nd-edition/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciareynolds/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/MarciaReynolds
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_marcia_reynolds/

A Reflection for You

Where might you be doing too much of the thinking for your team?

And what might change if you paused long enough to ask a better question?

About Ruth
Ruth Saw is a leadership and communication coach, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Accredited Soundwave Practitioner, and author of five bestselling books on clarity, purpose, and faith.

Connect with Ruth Saw
Linkedin: Ruth Saw
Check out the International Bestselling Book: Clarity is Power

And don’t forget to rate, follow, and share this episode if it inspired you!