Episode Summary
In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers the question: when should you take a supportive approach, and when should you be more direct in coaching or leadership?
Mike explains that the choice between being supportive or directive depends on the situation and the needs of the person you’re coaching. Rather than a strict “either-or,” it’s about evaluating what the individual is trying to achieve and how much progress they’re making. If the person is doing well and moving in the right direction, lean into support and collaboration. However, if someone is struggling, falling behind, or failing to meet deadlines, it’s time to step in with more direction, guidance, and specific teaching. Mike Staver emphasizes that this balance isn’t a simple on-off switch, but rather a dimmer, adjusting your approach based on real-time feedback.
Key Takeaways
- Assess what the person is trying to accomplish before deciding how to coach them.
- Use a supportive, collaborative approach if the individual is making progress and doing well.
- If the person is struggling or at risk of failing, shift toward a more directive style: teaching, telling, and guiding with specifics.
- The best strategy is based on what the person truly needs—support when they’re thriving, direction when they’re floundering.
- Think of supportive vs. directive coaching as a dimmer switch, not a light switch.
Notable Quotes
- “If they’re doing well and making progress, you err on the side of supportive.”
- “If they’re starting to fail… then what you want to do is create a space where you are working harder and harder at teaching and telling and directing.”
- “Directive doesn’t mean bossy. Directive just simply means evaluating what that person needs.”
- “If the person’s drowning, they don’t need you to collaborate with them. They need you to save them.”
- “It’s not a light switch. It’s a dimmer switch.”
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