📬 In This Week’s Issue:
Why surface-level coaching rarely leads to lasting change
A simple mindset shift to coach at the root, not the symptom
A go-to question that creates real awareness and growth
Reader Q&A: “How do I coach someone who keeps repeating the same mistake?”
A leadership challenge to coach for patterns, not problems
Setting the Stage
Most leaders wait until there’s a problem to start coaching.
Something gets missed.
A message doesn’t land.
A behavior shows up that needs fixing.
And then comes the conversation.
But here’s what I’ve seen again and again:
Fixing problems helps in the moment.
Spotting patterns changes the trajectory.
🔎 THE BIG INSIGHT
Great coaches don’t just solve surface issues.
They help people notice what’s repeating.
Maybe it’s a team member who always rushes the final 10% of a project.
Or someone who stays quiet in meetings, then drops concerns after decisions are made.
Or a leader who micromanages every time the pressure spikes.
One-off feedback won’t change that.
But coaching the pattern?
That’s where transformation happens.
The “Pattern Coaching” Mini-Framework
1. Zoom Out
Don’t just respond to the moment, look for repetition.
Ask yourself:
→ Have I seen this before?
→ Where else does this show up?
2. Make It Safe to Explore
Say:
→ “Can I share something I’ve noticed over time?”
→ “I think there might be a bigger pattern here worth looking at.”
You’re not criticizing, you’re helping them build self-awareness.
3. Ask the Unlocking Question
→ “Have you noticed this showing up in other places?”
This shifts the conversation from correction to reflection.
And that’s where real growth starts.
Takeaway:
You don’t just want better outcomes.
You want better awareness.
And that comes from coaching people at the pattern level, not just when something breaks.
💬 READER QUESTION
Q: “How do I coach someone who keeps repeating the same mistake?”
First, assume it’s not intentional.
Then create a conversation, not a correction.
Try this:
→ “I’ve noticed this has come up a few times. Can we talk about what’s behind it?”
→ “What feels unclear or tough in those moments?”
→ “What would help you approach it differently next time?”
Don’t coach the symptom. Coach the system behind it.
~ Chad Todd
This week, use this in your next 1:1: “Have you noticed this showing up in other places?” One good question can unlock 10x more than the right piece of advice.
P.S.
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