Coaching Leaders — 5 Mini-Videos

── VIDEO 10.1 · The Leadership Blind Spot ──

"The fastest way to fix a struggling team is almost never the team. It's the leader who doesn't know what they don't know."

Leaders are harder to coach because they were promoted for being strong individual contributors — and the behaviors that got them there get reinforced, including their blind spots.

Overconfidence in what worked individually can come at the expense of what the team actually needs.

"The leaders who change the most lives aren't the ones who know the most. They're the ones who finally understood how they were landing."

── VIDEO 10.2 · Coaching the Lion Leader — Pace vs. People ──

Lion leaders move fast. Their pace can run past their people — and they frequently don't notice until the damage is done.

Come in with clear outcomes and a short runway. They won't respect a meandering conversation.

Then ask one question they can't outrun: "Who got left behind?"

── VIDEO 10.3 · Coaching the Elephant Leader — Evidence-Based Change ──

Elephants change through evidence. Don't argue from feeling. Argue from data.

Give them the evidence — and trust them to draw the right conclusions.

── VIDEO 10.4 · Coaching the Dolphin Leader — When Harmony Becomes Avoidance ──

Dolphin leaders are gifted at protecting the team. They are also, sometimes, gifted at protecting the team from the truth.

When harmony becomes avoidance, you owe them the conversation no one else will have.

Ask: "What is the hard call you've been not making?"

── VIDEO 10.5 · Coaching the Lemur Leader — From Ideas to Outcomes ──

Lemur leaders bring the energy. They also bring six new directions before lunch.

Lemur leaders become legendary when someone helps them close the loop. Be that person.

Help them choose. Help them name what done looks like.

"A good zookeeper who applies these principles will have a high probability of guiding any leader toward becoming the leader their team actually needs."