Episode 59

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Published on:

26th Aug 2026

The One Question That Turns a Follower Into a Leader

Never let someone come to you with just a problem. They need one to three solutions already worked out, because that is the moment a follower starts becoming a leader.

Here's the thing. A VP I coach ran a time audit and found he was spending five hours a week with one newer team member. His first instinct was to just cut that time back. That would have backfired.

In this episode you'll learn;

- Why cutting back time with someone you have been over-supporting can blow up in your face if you handle it wrong, and the simple reframe that gets their buy-in instead of their anxiety

- The real difference between internal and external processors. One of your team members might be talking too much simply because that is how they think, not because they cannot decide

- The exact standard to set so people stop bringing you problems and start bringing you solutions. This one shift does more for someone's leadership growth than almost anything else you can teach them

- How to use phases to structure your relationship with a growing team member, so every stage has a clear, motivating focus instead of feeling like an open ended obligation

- The coaching questions that push someone to actually decide instead of staying stuck. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is refuse to decide for them

YOUR CHALLENGE:

This week, the next time someone comes to you with a problem, ask for their one to three options before you help solve it. If they do not have any, send them back to think it through first. That one habit is what starts turning a follower into a leader.

Questions on this episode?

Ask me in the Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8944058/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadershipmindsetgroup

Mentioned in this episode:

The Bravest Room in Montreal

Find out more:

2026 Intensive

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About the Podcast

Leadership Mindset 2.0
Transform From Tactical Doer to Strategic Leader: The Psychology of Scaling for Executives & Entrepreneurs
Leadership Mindset 2.0 is the definitive playbook for executives and entrepreneurs ready to break free from the "Doer Trap" and scale their business using psychology and strategy.

Host R. Michael Anderson has scaled multiple software companies to the Inc. 5000 list and was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Now, as a 2x Executive Coach of the Year, he uses that experience to help high-performers transform from Tactical Operators into Strategic Leaders.

In this podcast, Michael blends cutting-edge neuroscience, emotional intelligence (EQ), and battle-tested business strategy to help you overcome burnout, imposter syndrome, and the "Leadership Incompetence Trap" so you can lead with clarity and confidence.

Two New Episodes Every Week which include a mix of:
• Strategy: Neuroscience frameworks & leadership tactics to start your week.
• Mentorship: Live Q&A and specific answers to your leadership challenges.
• Coaching: A fly-on-the-wall look at real, unscripted executive coaching sessions as Michael helps leaders break through their blind spots live.
• Masterclasses: Listen in as Michael and guests teach valuable leadership and management skills to a real-life audience.

Topics include: The Psychology of Scaling, Burnout Prevention, Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching, and Emotional Intelligence.

About your host

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R. Michael Anderson

R. Michael Anderson, MBA, MA has a striking combination that creates truly impactful transformation in leaders – he has the real-life business success of founding, scaling and exiting three software companies, plus the educational background of a Masters Degree in Psychology.



This combination gives him the unique ability to connect to other leaders as a peer, then teaches evidence-based leadership skills that genuinely drive behaviour and performance.