Stepping in to prevent failure is a great strategy, if you plan on continuing to step in indefinitely.
Failure – or at least falling down – is an essential way to get your legs under you, regardless of the discipline. Great leaders know that a little bit of failure, particularly when the stakes are low, is a great way to learn.
Supported with real feedback, a desire to educate, and time to reflect, failure is a great tool for growth.
Today my student section leaders ran their first rehearsal, with me watching. I did my best to sit on my hands, stepping in to give them specific feedback and suggestions when it seemed appropriate, but otherwise focusing on giving them the experience of owning the experience. I know they’ll be much better in a few months, and I know that they will not grow if I constantly step in simply because I have more experience and knowledge.
It’s hard, but it’s necessary. We all want the people in our care to succeed. But sometimes, we have to want them to fail, too.