From Coordination to Leadership: Practical Shifts You Can Use Today
Yesterday I talked about the coordination trap many leaders face. Today I want to get more practical: what does the shift from coordination to leadership actually look like day-to-day?
There's a subtle but powerful difference between coordination and leadership.
Coordination keeps things moving - tasks ticked off, problems solved, schedules maintained. It's important. But leadership goes further. Leadership creates space for growth, strategy, and the development of people.
The challenge is that many leaders, especially new ones, get stuck in coordination mode. You know the drill: solving problems, checking work, stepping in to make sure nothing falls over. It feels productive, even necessary. But over time, it limits both you and your team. And the frustrating part? Your team starts to expect it. They wait for you to decide, to solve, to step in—because that's what you've inadvertently trained them to do.
So how do you break the pattern?
It starts with changing how you respond in everyday conversations.
What the Shift Looks Like in Conversation
Here are three phrases you can use the next time someone brings you a problem:
When your instinct is to jump straight to the answer, try: Before I weigh in, walk me through what you've already considered.
When you want to build their ownership, ask: If I wasn't here, what would you do?
When they've landed on a solution, help them think it through: What's the risk if we go that way? How would you manage it?
These small shifts turn everyday conversations into coaching opportunities. They help your team develop judgment and confidence, while freeing you from being the bottleneck.
Why This Takes Practice
Here’s the thing: your brain will want to just give the answer. It’s faster, you can see exactly what they should do, and watching them work through it can feel inefficient.
But that’s the coordination instinct. Leadership means sitting with that discomfort and letting them work it through.
Yes, this takes a bit longer in the moment. But you’re making an investment. Five minutes of coaching now means they can handle similar situations on their own next time. Which means you’re not the one carrying every decision.
When you do this well, a few things happen:
You build their capability to solve problems themselves
Their thinking gets stronger, so they come to you with better questions
They develop confidence to handle more without you
You free up space to focus on what only you can do
That’s leadership in action - turning moments of coordination into development.
Your Next Step
Pick one person who regularly brings you problems. Next time they do, try:
Before I weigh in, walk me through what you’ve already considered.
Notice what shifts for them, and for you.
Ready to Break the Pattern?
This shift doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s hard to do on your own. That’s what Leadership Essentials is designed for - helping leaders move from coordination to development through 8 weeks of practical skill-building.
The final 2025 program starts October 7th. If you recognise yourself in the coordination trap, this is your chance to break the pattern.
