The Coaching Scale: When to Ask, When to Tell

Ever found yourself asking too many questions or giving too many answers? You're not alone. This Solo-cast episode dives deep into the delicate balance leaders must strike between inquiry and instruction.

At the heart of this episode is the "coaching scale" - a powerful framework for understanding when to ask open-ended questions and when to provide direct guidance. The key insight: your approach must match your team member's capability level. For those with high competence, questions like "What have you tried?" foster critical thinking. For novices, demonstration and clear direction are essential - just as you wouldn't teach a child to tie shoes through questions alone.

What makes this concept particularly valuable is learning to identify where someone falls on the capability spectrum. By simply asking "Have you done this before?" and "How many times?", you gain immediate insight into whether open-ended questions will empower or frustrate them. The episode also explores the often-overlooked middle ground of providing options without dictating solutions - preserving ownership while still offering guidance.

The most powerful takeaway is recognizing that effective leadership requires flexibility across the entire coaching spectrum. Sometimes you need to roll up your sleeves and demonstrate; other times, the best thing you can do is ask questions that activate someone's existing knowledge. Mastering this balance transforms you from a one-dimensional leader into someone who knows exactly what each team member needs to grow at any given moment.

Ready to transform how you develop your team? Listen now and discover how to determine exactly when to ask and when to tell - your team will thank you for it. Share your biggest leadership challenges in the comments!

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