Lynn D'Cruz’s Post

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Founder @ The Other Leader | C-Suite Wellbeing Coach | Leadership Trainer | Budding Author |

Have you ever tried to help someone, but after sometime, they keep you at arm's length? As leaders, we have a million little opportunities to help others. In our best intentions to support those we care about, we can sometimes fall into the trap of trying to "fix" them. It is futile and strain relationships as it diminishes the autonomy of others. We need to recognise that each person’s journey is unique, and real growth often comes from within. How we can stop trying to fix others? 💜 Don't offer solutions. Listen to them with your mind, heart, body and soul. Just sit still and listen without immediately responding with advice or an action plan. 💜 Encourage self-reflection by asking questions that promote personal insight instead of imposing your solutions on them. When we tell people what to do, even in their best interest, we undermine their personal power. 💜 Understand where your responsibilities end and theirs begin. This helps prevent overstepping and respects their capacity to handle their challenges. 💜 Offer support, not solutions. Let them know you are there for them by supporting their ability to solve their own problems, rather than doing it for them. Ultimately, what does real help look like? Empowerment. Not control. Support others in a way that boosts their confidence in their abilities to face their own problems. This might mean standing beside them as they tackle challenges or providing resources or information when asked. Offering a compassionate presence that reminds them they are not alone is powerful too. Why not focus on oneself? While it is noble to want to help others, the focus outward can distract us from attending to our own needs and growth. Investing time and energy into our own development allows us to be stronger and more present for others when they truly need us. It aids our wellbeing, equips us with better emotional and models a way of living that is healthy and centered. We are more effective when we walk the talk. Stepping back from trying to fix others respects their journey and enriches our own. When we focus on self-awareness, we position ourselves to be genuinely helpful, inspiring others through our example instead of direct intervention. We then create healthier relationships built on mutual respect and genuine support. Ryan Holiday words it perfectly: "Remember that the next time you are complaining or frustrated by someone else’s ego or your spouse’s anxiety or a friend’s temper. That it’s silly to try to escape or fix them. Instead, try to escape and fix your own faults. There’s plenty of work to do there, trust me. Enough to keep you busy for a lifetime, without ever needing to waste a second getting involved in somebody’s else’s personal journey." #TheOtherLeader #SaviourComplex #GenuineHelp #SincereLove

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Lynn D'Cruz

Founder @ The Other Leader | C-Suite Wellbeing Coach | Leadership Trainer | Budding Author |

3mo

Dear all, thank you very much for your response to this post. It must have struck a cord and I deeply appreciate your responses and reactions to it. Let's help elevate leadership consciousness. Kindly, Lynn

Rumi Yeo

I coach busy working professionals on personal debt management, wealth accumulation, and holistic retirement planning, with the goal of achieving financial freedom for early retirement and an enriched life.| Author

3mo

Well said. Lynn This was what happened yesterday when I met a friend who needed my financial advice but ended up discussing her health, her investments, her parent issues, and everything else. She thought she was there with the intention that I'm going to give her the answers to all her concerns. This was what happened. We spent about two hours allowing her to unload all her worries, concerns, and plans. She simply wanted someone to listen, show empathy and interest, and not to judge her but to validate her thoughts, plans, and clarity of mind. The more I asked her questions, the more she began to reinforce her belief that she was doing the right thing, and sometimes I throw in questions to challenge her assumptions and perceptions. It was enjoyable, and I was glad to see that she found most of the answers herself by talking through the questions and affirming to herself that if her plans and decisions work well, giving her the maximum outcome, my simply nodding just affirmed her belief. I relax, sahaja, sipping my coffee at Midvalley Coffee Bean. Clarity removed the brake on any journey to success.

Dr Pete Mhlanga

Chief Executive @ Centre for Constitutional | MBA, Operations, Strategy| Research Fellow| Project Developer

3mo

Thank you for sharing sharing 💯

Absolutely insightful, Lynn D'Cruz 🌟 Embracing leadership that genuinely aids without imposing a savior complex is both powerful and humbling. It’s about empowering others, not just leading them. Thank you for shedding light on the subtleties of #TheOtherLeader approach where #GenuineHelp meets respect and empathy. 🙌 Leaders who practice this create environments where everyone feels valued and supported. #LeadershipDevelopment #Empowerment

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Tanuj Sahu

Driving Global Education Accessibility | Crafting High-Performance Sales Engines | Transformative Leadership at foundit (formerly Monster.com), Whitehat Jr., Bharti Airtel Ltd., Aircel, & ETV Network

3mo

This is quite insightful; distinguishing between helping and fixing reveals a delicate balance. Often, that line gets blurred, and in our efforts to fix, we might unintentionally distance ourselves from our team members/supportive network.

Tatiana Rueff

Getting Senior Leaders to Optimal Performance and Sustainable Growth Without Burnout

3mo

There the first pointer of this post says a lot Lynn, it's about listening to people instead of just trying to offer instant solutions. A lot of times people just need a hearing gesture from your side.

Thanks for sharing, perfect “coaching” advice as well as in our personal relationships. So helpful 🙏🏻

Brian Curtis

Counselor, Healer, Author, Applying spiritual laws to grow and heal forever

3mo

Great post Lynn 😊. There are more people needing help, but listening and allowing others to grow in whatever way they need is also supportive.

Mrunalini Deshmukh

PGT Physics at Reliance Foundation School Lodhivali

3mo

Thanks for sharing the other person valid point of view.

Maria C.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek

3mo

What a sincere and powerful message. Thank you for sharing.

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