Effective leaders are teachers

Letting someone know that you struggled to learn the skill you’re now teaching them can ease the pressure people may feel to "look good" in front of the boss.

Stay empathic and keep your past struggles in mind. “I know this is hard, and the fact that I’m here probably makes it harder. Would...

Any new skill is a process of “three steps forward, two steps back,” especially in the early weeks of learning.

Agree with your learner when you will check in on progress. for some, it may be every week, and for others, every month may be more appropriate.

Once you've given someone "a lesson," they may be more sensitive to your scrutiny. You don't want them thinking that every time they present, they'll be evaluated. Rather than letting them become hypervigilant, set expectations about how and when your next observation of their performance will be...

Great teachers know that learning is a consequence of thinking, not of teaching.

Ask open-ended questions to draw out what specifically the person is struggling with. Help them make connections between previous relevant experience and previously developed s...

Sometimes it's helpful to demonstrate to learners how something is done. Ask your learner if it would be helpful to demonstrate. Ensure that you're not conveying that this is precisely how they should do it.

After you offer a demonstration, ask your learner, "What did you see that was helpf...

If the task you're asking someone to take on has a particular sense of urgency, you will feel a sense of impatience, even frustration, as your learner works to apply new skills.

• Ensure you have realistic expectations and don't signal disappointment or frustration, as this can interfere...