Ever found yourself asking too many questions or giving too many answers? You're not alone. This Solo-cast episode dives deep into the delicate balance leaders must strike between inquiry and instruction.

At the heart of this episode is the "coaching scale" - a powerful framework for understanding when to ask open-ended questions and when to provide direct guidance. The key insight: your approach must match your team member's capability level. For those with high competence, questions like "What have you tried?" foster critical thinking. For novices, demonstration and clear direction are essential - just as you wouldn't teach a child to tie shoes through questions alone.

What makes this concept particularly valuable is learning to identify where someone falls on the capability spectrum. By simply asking "Have you done this before?" and "How many times?", you gain immediate insight into whether open-ended questions will empower or frustrate them. The episode also explores the often-overlooked middle ground of providing options without dictating solutions - preserving ownership while still offering guidance.

The most powerful takeaway is recognizing that effective leadership requires flexibility across the entire coaching spectrum. Sometimes you need to roll up your sleeves and demonstrate; other times, the best thing you can do is ask questions that activate someone's existing knowledge. Mastering this balance transforms you from a one-dimensional leader into someone who knows exactly what each team member needs to grow at any given moment.

Ready to transform how you develop your team? Listen now and discover how to determine exactly when to ask and when to tell - your team will thank you for it. Share your biggest leadership challenges in the comments!

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books

What happens when you create a vision so clear that every decision becomes obvious? Joshua McMahon, owner of McMahon Custom Homes, reveals how he transformed from laborer to business owner by focusing relentlessly on his three-year vision.

The entrepreneurial journey is rarely a straight path. Joshua candidly shares how he built his business foundation 18 months before leaving his secure job—posting consistently on social media, networking with key industry players, and sharing his vision repeatedly until the right people resonated with it. Despite initially being laughed at, Joshua's persistence led to critical relationships that fueled his company's explosive growth.

We explore the crucial distinction between management and leadership, with Joshua explaining, "There's managers on every single store corner. We need a leader, growing those managers into leaders." This perspective shift transformed how he approaches his business, focusing on developing people rather than just hitting numbers. His refreshing approach to growth—aiming for higher-value projects rather than higher volume—challenges conventional business wisdom while preserving what makes his company special.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when discussing failures and setbacks. Joshua reveals how his lowest career moments provided the greatest learning, though he admits feeling embarrassed to reach out during those times. His advice for weathering tough periods? Maintain focus on your vision and surround yourself with people who believe in your potential.

Joshua also shares practical strategies for vision-building, including scheduling dedicated thinking time and creating visions so detailed you can "touch" them. Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, seeking leadership insights, or simply trying to navigate career transitions, this conversation offers actionable wisdom from someone who's living proof that vision-driven success is possible.

Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn or social media to learn more about his visionary approach to business and leadership.

Make yourself a priority and get more done: https://www.depthbuilder.com/do-the-damn-thing

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books

What drives someone to rise from mechanical trades to vice president multiple times? For Pansy Romo of InTech Mechanical, the answer lies not in credentials or connections, but in authentic servant leadership and an unwavering commitment to valuing people.

This conversation delves into Pansy's remarkable journey—one that began without a college degree but flourished through intentional relationship-building and genuine appreciation for others. "When you invest in people and value them truly for no other reason than they are people and matter, everything else comes as a byproduct," she shares, revealing the philosophy that's guided her ascent in an industry not always known for prioritizing human connection.

Particularly fascinating is Pansy's perspective on career transitions and setbacks. Rather than viewing career progression as linear, she embraces the zigzags, including moments when "doors closed on purpose"—situations that initially seemed like failures but eventually revealed themselves as redirections toward greater opportunities. Her transition from trade-specific work to broader general contractor responsibilities demonstrates how vulnerability, resourcefulness, and willingness to learn can transform apparent limitations into strengths.

For leaders struggling with talent retention in today's competitive market, Pansy offers a compelling alternative to simply competing on compensation. When organizations demonstrate genuine interest in employees as complete human beings rather than mere contributors to dashboards, they create magnetic cultures where discretionary effort flows naturally. As she puts it, "Titles and authority are needed for business, but that's not how I show up every day—we're all trying to advance the ball together, just with different responsibilities."

Ready to transform your leadership approach? Listen now to discover how being a "light to others" can create both personal fulfillment and organizational success.

Connect with Pansy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pansy-romo-leed-ap-42b49818/

https://www.intech-mech.com/

Make yourself a priority and get more done: https://www.depthbuilder.com/do-the-damn-thing

Download a PDF copy of Becoming the Promise You are Intended to Be
https://www.depthbuilder.com/books