Most managers don’t wake up one morning magically knowing how to lead a great team. It’s something you learn – usually the hard way. But there is a bit of a shortcut: three conversations that, when you get them right, tend to make everything else feel a little easier.
They’re simple: Direction, Coaching, Career. Not fancy. Not complicated. Just human.
Russ Laraway, former Google leader and author of When They Win, You Win, puts it nicely:
“Managers really only need to do two things: deliver results that matter, and help their people succeed. And those two things depend on talking to your team in a structured, intentional way.”
Direction: “Are we clear on what matters?”
Everyone wants to do a good job. What gets in the way is usually a lack of clarity. Direction conversations help people understand what’s expected, what to focus on, and how their work ladders up to the bigger goals. Tools such as OKRs can really help here, as they make expectations concrete rather than fuzzy.
Coaching: “How can I help you get better?”
This is where real growth happens. Coaching doesn’t have to be formal or heavy. It’s as simple as saying, “Here’s what worked,” or “Here’s something we can tweak next time.” No blame, no drama, just honesty delivered with care, and, ideally, as close as possible to the moment, when it’s still fresh and useful.
Career: “Where do you want to go next?”
People don’t just want to be managed; they want to be seen. Career conversations are your chance to understand what someone hopes for, based on where they’ve been, where they’d like to go, and what they can start doing now.
A quarterly rhythm works far better than the once-a-year ‘tick-box’ review most people dread.
Find a rhythm that feels natural.
- Direction: Little and often; daily or weekly works well
- Coaching: As soon as possible after moments that matter
- Career: Every few months, without fail
If this feels like a lot, don’t worry. You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Just pick one conversation to start with this week.
Direction, Coaching, or Career – which one would make the biggest difference right now?