Two examples of how to encourage, coach, and support others towards being more independent

What are you doing to build your own empire? Everyday we have a choice and a chance. Sometimes we choose to build someone else's empire. On today's live recording of the Better U Leadership Podcast, Coach Angela shares two examples of how to encourage, coach, and support others towards being more independent.

Example Number One: Two Chihuahuas

Background: We have two eight month old chihuahuas.  

Example Number Two: My Son

Background: I have a 16 year old talented, handsome, creative, kind, and healthy  son.

Last week he told me that he didn't do two classroom assignments because he wasn't familiar with the format his teacher prescribed.  He told me he just wrote in the format in which he was comfortable and familiar. 

Apparently, he was preparing me to see dip in his grades in that particular class. 

When he was in Middle School I maintained a pretty strong connection with his teachers. I went up to the school frequently for events and was involved in lots of the activities. When, on occasion my son wasn't performing in an excellent manner, I would intervene.  

My son won the spelling bee and participated in the science fair at the state level. He is more than capable of achieving greatness.  

The problem I began to notice was that because I consistently intervened, I realized that I was setting him up for failure. I was cheating him out of learning how to have difficult and uncomfortable conversations with his teachers. 

So, I stepped back and began to encourage, coach, and support my son through advocating for himself. 

MY ASK
Yesterday, I asked him for an update on his grades. He told me that he still didn't know how to complete the assignment using the format his teacher prescribed.  He made an excuse. 

I told that he could be introverted, embarrassed, scared, confused and still ask for help, support, and clarification from his teacher. I told him that everyday he has a choice and a chance. 

I made it clear that I would not be intervening. 

This morning he sent me a text of his shoes. He was standing outside of his classroom. He arrived early and was waiting for her to open the door so he could shoot his shot.

NOW WHAT

He'll gain more confidence in advocating for himself; just as our small chihuahua named SAM.  He'll fail and then he'll try. Ultimately, he and the puppies will progress which will free up my time to do some of the things I choose to do

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH LEADERSHIP? Once you can train your team to perform in a manner, you can delegate. When you can delegate, more of us win! It frees you up to focus in another area. It breeds more confidence in your teammates and for the most part the completed tasks are the norm. We want to teach people (and dogs) how to fish, not necessarily catch the fish and feed them everyday. 

Also, productivity and attendance will most likely improve. 

My lane, My Race, My Pace

Everyday, we're given a chance and a choice

We all can win.

Much Love and Much Respect,

Angela

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela M. Odom is a life and leadership coach, founder of The Better U Project brand, podcast host, proud Army veteran and the author of BRONCO STRONG: A Memoir of the Last Deployed Personnel Services Battalion  and Golom's Magical Gamers as well as a contributing author to the book, "Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through The Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders". 

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