"The Moment I Wanted My Team to Shut Up and Just Do It"
Years ago, I was the Tech Lead on a project when I got off a client call with a tight deadline and a big promise: we’d prioritise and ship a feature fast. I already had a solution in mind, so I jumped on a call with the team and explained the situation. They immediately started brainstorming alternative approaches. And I’ll be honest—my first reaction? I just wanted them to stop. Stop talking, stop questioning, and just do what I’d already mapped out in my head. But I managed to keep quiet. I let the conversation run. And the team? They came up with a better solution—one I wouldn’t have thought of. They were also far more invested in making it work. They worked harder, solved problems faster, and hit the deadline. That moment stuck with me. Not because of the outcome, but because of what it revealed: A strong team isn’t one that follows the leader’s plan. It’s one that creates its own path, and owns it. Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is sit in silence and let the team lead. When was the last time you held back, and the team surprised you? Until next time, |