And an essential component of high-performing teams is a leader who is both a savvy manager and a caring coach.

He built his message on your capabilities and progress. This is a key aspect of delivering encouragement as a coach: it needs to be credible.

As Bill described it, his job as our coach was to “see little flaws in the organization that with a little massage we can make better. I listen, observe, and fill the communication and understanding gaps between people.

Get the team right and you’ll get the issue right.

Which means that you should lead with warmth, but know that you might have to work just a bit harder to build your reputation for competency.