Leaders create the conditions for others to succeed. Success includes helping remove the obstacles to success. The trap a leader can fall into, though, is starting to believe they need to take on all problems.

When people are confronting a problem, they will often feel anxious. I know many well-intentioned leaders who respond to this anxiety by jumping into action. Unfortunately, though, these actions can often unintentionally be about feeling better themselves.

Sometimes, others only want to know they have your support as they work through their problems. Don’t assume you’ll know when this applies. When people come to you with problems, ask, “how can I support you with this?”

They’ll know what they want from you.

You’ve got this.