This was the hardest lesson I had to learn as a manager and leader. I’m naturally a coach. I want people to do better, I want them to understand the why of a process. I love cheerleading, and building people up, and giving them opportunities to grow.

Mistakes happen. Good coaching prevents mistakes.

But there’s a limit to how much you can coach, and when you have to start holding people accountable. And it can be a hard step to take for new managers and leaders.

The hardest conversations are those when you have to look at a team member and let them know they didn’t meet your expectations. These are necessary conversations for the growth and development of both individuals.