Building Up or Tearing Down
A few weeks ago, I went on a hiking trip that reminded me how much leadership matters.
My original guide was experienced and highly rated. On paper, he seemed like the perfect leader. But from the very beginning, he undermined his new assistant. He spoke down to him, ignored him, and eventually even berated him for small mistakes. The assistant responded by shrinking into the background...quiet, disengaged, and almost invisible. He did the bare minimum.
A few days later, I was assigned a new guide, the founder of the touring company. We kept the same assistant, but what happened next was night and day.
Instead of criticizing, this new leader was curious. He asked the assistant questions, showed interest, and offered simple coaching when things weren’t clear. The change was remarkable. It was as if someone had flipped a switch.
The assistant became energetic, engaged, and proactive. He called ahead to ensure our team’s needs were met. He began anticipating challenges before they arose. He smiled and carried himself with confidence. It was like he was a different person.
All of this happened because one leader tore him down, and another leader built him up.
The Lesson for Business Leaders
Your people don’t just need direction, they need belief. When leaders invest in their teams, ask questions, and coach instead of criticize, they unlock potential that might otherwise stay hidden.
Great leadership doesn’t just change outcomes. It changes people. And when people change, teams and organizations change with them.
So the question is: Are you tearing down your people, or are you building them up?
Ryan Giles
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
