In this short video, I explore a leadership idea I’ve talked about with almost every leader I’ve ever coached: Protection and Permission.
Great leadership is rarely about having all the answers — it’s about finding the right balance.
• Permission gives people the courage to step out of their comfort zone.
• Protection keeps them from slipping into their danger zone.
When those two are in balance, people stay in their creative, learning, and productive zone — stretched, but not stressed.
I share simple, real-life examples (like teaching a child to ride a bike or preparing for a TED Talk) to illustrate how leaders can apply this balance — whether managing themselves, an individual, or an entire team.
At the end, I offer two short reflection questions to help you find your own balance between safety and stretch, both for yourself and for those you lead.
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⸻ 👉 Full text:
I think I’ve ended up talking about this topic with almost every leader I’ve ever coached — protection and permission.
It’s the answer to many leadership dilemmas where there’s no simple solution — it’s all about balance.
It applies equally well to managing yourself, to leading individuals, and to guiding teams or entire organizations.
When you give permission, you encourage people to step outside their comfort zone.
You’re saying: “You can do that thing!”
That “thing” might be your child’s first bike ride without training wheels.
Or it might be saying to someone slightly older, “Of course you can give a TED Talk!”
When you give protection, you set limits — you help people avoid their danger zone.
You might say: “But don’t ride down that steep hill.”
Or, in the case of the TED Talk: “Start small. Build up to it gradually. Begin with an easy audience.”
With the right balance of protection and permission, people stay in their creative, learning, productive zone — slightly uncomfortable, but not in danger.
Like me right now, recording this video. 😊
A common mistake leaders make is to forget one side of the equation.
If you’re overly concerned about being liked, you might encourage without setting limits.
If you tend to be overly controlling, you might set limits without allowing enough freedom.
Either way, something important gets lost — growth, confidence, or trust.
So, viewed simply, protection and permission form a two-point leadership checklist.
Now, ask yourself:
- When did you last stop yourself from doing something because you were too cautious?
- When did you last get into trouble because you were too reckless?
Then ask the same two questions — but this time, think about situations where you were responsible for someone else’s performance and/or well-being.
How might you have found a better balance between protection and permission in those moments?
That’s where leadership happens — in the balance between keeping people safe and giving them space to grow.
⸻ 👉 To go further:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/potency-protection-permission-3-ps-colin-brett/
https://ericberne.com/transactional-analysis/
#Leadership #Coaching #TeamDevelopment #PermissionAndProtection #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment
