Issue 49: Why Leaders Need to Stop Being the Fixer

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge."

— Simon Sinek

Welcome to our 49th issue! Simon Sinek’s words are a powerful reminder: leadership is about empowering others. Today, we’re diving into a trap many leaders fall into—being "the fixer"—and how stepping back can create stronger, more capable teams.

When you’re in a leadership role, it’s tempting to jump in and solve problems as they arise. After all, you probably got here because you’re good at solving problems. But always being the fixer is more harmful than helpful in the long run.

Here’s what it looks like when you play the fixer:

• Your team becomes overly dependent: Instead of tackling challenges, they wait for you to swoop in and save the day.

• Problems pile up on your plate: You’re constantly firefighting, which leaves you overwhelmed and with little time for strategic work.

• Your team misses opportunities to grow: Problem-solving is like a muscle—it needs to be used to get stronger.

Fixing everything for your team might feel like the fastest route to a solution, but it’s a detour away from building their confidence, resilience, and independence.

What You Can Do Instead:

Empower Problem-Solving
Encourage your team to bring solutions, not just problems. Ask them, “What do you think we should do about this?” It’s a simple shift that challenges them to think critically before seeking your input.

Coach, Don’t Solve
Guide your team to their own solutions instead of handing them the answer. Ask coaching questions like:

• “What options have you considered?”

• “What’s the potential impact of those choices?”

• “What would you need to make this work?”

Celebrate Wins
When your team successfully tackles a challenge, acknowledge their effort and growth. It reinforces their ability to handle the next obstacle and builds confidence.

Reflect and Adjust

Here are some questions to consider:

• Are there situations where you jump in too quickly instead of letting your team handle it?

• How can you create space for your team to solve their own challenges while still feeling supported?

• What’s one question you can ask your team this week to encourage problem-solving?

When you stop being the fixer, you create room for your team to step up and grow. Not only does this ease your workload, but it also builds a stronger, more independent team capable of handling challenges with less reliance on you.

If your team’s dependency has been holding them (and you) back, let’s talk. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll craft a strategy to empower your team and give you more time to focus on what matters most.

Next Week's Preview:

Next week, we’ll explore how to align your team around a shared goal or priority for the new year. It’s the key to creating momentum and focus from day one.

Go out there and lead,

Asia