Sometimes (oftentimes) the best thing you can do to help the people around you grow… is less.
…Yes, lead by example.
…Yes, do for others what you would want done for you.
…Yes, offer support, take initiative, and maintain a strong work ethic.
But, also…
…Share the hard(er) work, large(r) opportunities, and high(er) pressure situations.
…Give people space to explore, experiment, and figure things out on their own.
…Allow people to struggle and mess up and fail.
Growth happens outside our zones of comfort. And if we keep the people around us too comfortable (by doing much of the uncomfortable work)—contrary to what we might see as a service to them—what we’re actually doing to them is a disservice.
Because while being comfortable is what we think we want in any given moment (and what we might think we want from the people around us/working with us)… what we actually want is to do something we can be proud of… something that challenged us and made us better… something that helped us realize our potential.
And sometimes (oftentimes) that only happens when the stronger people around us… do less.
P.s. Borrowing Strength Builds Weakness – A Lesson From My 104 Year Old Grandmother