What Does It Mean to “Borrow Trouble”?
Borrowing trouble means taking on or meddling with someone else’s problem. It often happens for two main reasons:
- A leader is compassionate and wants to prevent suffering.
- A leader knows how they want something done and can’t resist getting personally involved.
Either way, it can be damaging, not only to the person trying to learn but also to the leader’s ability to develop others.
For example, when someone questions my driving or navigation ability, especially if they’re frustrated, I become self-conscious and a worse driver. If someone steps in while I am problem-solving, my learning ability is greatly diminished.
As leaders, we often have experience with the task at hand. It’s natural to want to help. But too often, our ego drives us to interfere. When this happens:
- The person’s growth is stifled.
- They miss out on learning through struggle and effort.
- We rob them of the opportunity to build confidence and independence.
Think about it: Who helped you when you were struggling? Often, you had to solve problems and complete projects on your own. It was under this hardship that you learned.
3 Leadership Practices to Avoid Borrowing Trouble
Here are a few practical approaches to help you lead without interfering:
1. Ask Before You Act
Ask if someone needs help or make a general offer.
- If accepted, guide them to a solution, but let them do the work. Foster learning instead of solving the problem for them.
- If declined, back off politely and trust their process.
2. Stay Silent. No, Really!
Shut up. That’s right. Keep your nitpicking comments to yourself. You’ll face an internal battle with your ego, but it must be fought. Resist the temptation to correct unless it’s truly necessary.
3. Intervene Only to Prevent Catastrophe
Ask yourself:
- Is catastrophic failure imminent?
- Will someone be harmed or humiliated?
- Will the organization fail if I don’t step in?
If the honest answer to these is “no,” then back off. Remember: failure is learning. It’s how people grow.
The Most Powerful Leadership Tool You Have
Don’t borrow trouble. Don’t let your ego or your need for control interfere with someone else’s opportunity to grow.
Let people wrestle with their own problems. Guide only when asked. Your silence may be the most powerful leadership tool you have.
Make it Personal!
Rob
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