Drafted with AI for Coach42 · coach review pending
Said Out Loud
Every column says one uncomfortable true thing in its first line, and never takes it back.
The thing everyone thought in Tuesday’s meeting, and nobody said.
The short answer
Said Out Loud is a daily column from Coach42. Each one takes something leaders think but rarely say, says it plainly, explains why it happens and what it costs, and ends with one thing to try on Monday and a question from The 42 Test. Columns are drafted with AI and checked automatically before they publish.
Drafted with AI for Coach42 · coach review pending · Subscribe by RSS
Columns
- You want the title. Not the job.
What people usually say instead:
“I'm ready for the next step.” - Your door is open. Nobody walks through it.
What people usually say instead:
“My door is always open.” - You're saving it for the review. That's an ambush.
What people usually say instead:
“I want to give it at the right time.” - You moved her one-to-one three times. She counted.
What people usually say instead:
“Something urgent came up.” - They promoted your skills. Not your leadership.
What people usually say instead:
“I'm still finding my feet.” - Your best person is leaving. Because of you.
What people usually say instead:
“They got an offer they couldn't refuse.” - Your company can't survive your holiday.
What people usually say instead:
“I'm only checking in once a day.” - That weekly meeting? Nobody would miss it.
What people usually say instead:
“It keeps everyone aligned.” - You like being needed.
What people usually say instead:
“It's just quicker if I do it.”
Every column ends with a question from The 42 Test and links to one of the 42 free tests. For longer answers to the questions leaders search for, see the Question Library.
Question 15 of 42
I take the heat from above so my team doesn’t feel it.
Drafted with AI · coach review pending