Stop Solving. Start Empowering.

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Hey Spark Family,

Let’s talk about a quiet trap I see far too many leaders fall into - especially those who care deeply about their teams:

➡ The Problem-Solver Trap.

It looks like this:

Your team hits a snag.
They come to you.
You jump in - because it’s faster, or they’re stressed, or you want to be supportive.
But the next time? They come to you again.
And again.
And again.

Suddenly, you’re not leading. You’re rescuing.
​And it’s wearing you out.

The Research Is Clear

• 73% of managers say they’re spending more time solving team problems than leading strategy. (Gallup, 2025)
➡ Translation: You’re in the weeds, and it’s costing your clarity.

• When employees aren’t coached to think independently, team innovation drops by 27%. (McKinsey, 2025)
➡ Translation: You’re slowing down your team by trying to help them move faster.
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• Leaders who ask coaching-style questions see a 35% increase in team problem-solving ability within 6 weeks.(HBR, 2025)
➡ Translation: Empowerment is efficient.

The goal isn’t to leave your team hanging.
It’s to stop being the default solution and start being the strategic guide.

What I'm Seeing In The Field

The most well-meaning leaders are unintentionally creating dependency.
They’re saying “I’ve got this” when they need to be saying:

• “What have you already tried?”
• “What’s blocking you?”
• “What would you do in my seat?”

Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about helping your team find their own.

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What We Teach Leaders Inside Spark Brilliance

When you solve with your team, not for them - you unlock:

✔ More ownership​
✔ Faster problem resolution​
✔ Less emotional overload for you​
✔ More confidence for them

We teach leaders to:

➡ Replace “bring me your problems” with “bring me your thinking”
➡ Use 1:1s to coach, not clean up
➡ Celebrate effort and resilience, not just resolution

The shift is simple. But it’s not always easy.

It requires letting go of the quick fix, and playing the long game of leadership.

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🌟 Your Challenge This Week

The next time a teammate brings you a problem, pause.

Ask one of these instead:

• What have you already tried?
• What’s getting in the way?
• What do you think we should do?

You’ll still be supportive.
You’ll still be a strong leader.
But you won’t be carrying the entire weight of every decision.

Empowerment isn’t detachment.
It’s giving your team the tools, and the trust, to step up.

Let’s lead with clarity, not control.

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With gratitude,
​Jackie

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P.S. – Know another leader who’s stuck in solution mode? Forward this their way.
Let’s help each other create space to lead, not just react. ✨

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