There is absolutely no doubt that providing direct, unequivocal and non-negotiable instructions is something that leaders need to learn to do.

Some of us find it easy – and know instinctively that we need to do less of it in order to grow autonomy in the people we lead. Some of us feel uncomfortable with it – and find ourselves apologising for the need to ‘tell’ when it is the most appropriate course of action. In the many leaders I have enjoyed teaching to coach over the years (at the last count, it was over 2000 of you!); I have seen both sides of the story and helped people to overcome the challenges with both.

For me, understanding the dis-benefits of ‘telling’ was something I only understood deeply when I started to read and write about neuroscience and psychology.

I summarise what I have learnt in the above Tea Break Coach video.