By Danielle Rocheleau, CEO, Laridae
When I spoke about the “quiet power” of micro‑shifts in coaching, I was celebrating the tiny adjustments that compound into profound changes, both for leaders and the teams they guide. These small changes are grounded in principles we see transforming organizations every day:
- Curiosity over certainty
- Confidence grounded in clarity
- Process as meaningful as outcome
- Momentum in small, consistent moves
- Space for reflection and reset
- Trust in incremental learning
They reflect a kind of leadership that is steady, present, and responsive.
I want to share six practical examples — micro‑shifts inspired by real leadership moments we’ve observed at Laridae. Each one is simple to try, yet powerful in how it shifts conversations, confidence, and connection. Which one will you try this week?
Six Micro-shifts to Try
1. Ask one more clarifying question
Instead of jumping to solutions, pause and ask:
“Can you say more about that?”
“What would success look like for you here?”
This small shift opens up deeper reflection, shows your genuine curiosity, and invites co‑creation.
2. Replace “I think” with “I believe” or “I recommend”
Our phrasing matters. Saying “I believe” or “I recommend” adds confidence and nuance, signaling both clarity and openness. Try it next time you offer input in a meeting.
3. Celebrate a process win weekly
It’s tempting to only cheer outcomes: “We hit the target!” But recognizing the process wins — like, “We stayed aligned through a tough conversation” — reinforces healthy habits and team dynamics.
4. Ask, “What’s the next smallest step?”
Especially when projects feel overwhelming, this question breaks inertia and counters perfectionism. It shifts the focus from overwhelming “what ifs” to manageable progress.
5. Choose one meeting to delegate or skip per week
Creating intentional space for thinking — not just doing — nourishes creativity and leadership presence. Delegating or skipping just one weekly meeting can reclaim time for reflection and strategic foresight.
6. Make one decision faster each day
Practice trusting your judgment on a low‑risk matter. Move forward, learn, adjust. It builds the decisiveness muscle and models adaptive leadership for others.
Which micro‑shift will you try?
Out of these six, which one speaks to you right now?
- Perhaps you want to pause more often before responding.
- Or upgrade your language from “I think” to “I recommend.”
- Maybe you’re ready to carve out thinking time by skipping a meeting.
Choose just one to start. Then notice the ripple effect — how something small can change how you show up, how your team responds, and how you feel about your impact.
Putting Micro‑Shifts into Practice
If you’re curious about how to embed these shifts into your leadership rhythm, Laridae offers practical, hands-on programs to help you develop and sustain this kind of intentional leadership:
- Our Management Training Program equips new and experienced managers with tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact, practicing micro-shifts like these in real time.
- Our Coach Training Program builds internal coaching capacity within organizations, enabling leaders to foster trust, curiosity, and development across teams.
These programs are designed to meet leaders where they are and build capabilities that stick, one small shift at a time.
Let’s keep practicing the small things that make a big difference.