There’s a fine line between supporting your team and quietly carrying them. And too many leaders cross it without realising.

Carrying often comes from care, urgency, or the desire to avoid disappointment. But over time, it reduces capability and accountability, and leaves you holding the weight of work that was never meant to be yours.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: when you carry people for too long, they stop trusting their own judgement — and start depending on yours.

Support looks different. It strengthens judgement, clarifies ownership, and helps people grow into the responsibilities they were hired to lead.

Support requires discipline. You stay present without stepping in. You ask questions that return accountability to the person who owns it. You allow discomfort because you know it’s part of growth, not a sign of failure.

So, the invitation is simple, though not always easy: Pause before you intervene.

Stay curious a moment longer.

Let people articulate their next step before you offer yours.

Stop making your team dependent. Step back just enough to let them rise — and watch the leadership you’ve cultivated take root.

#EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #CrossCulturalTeams