The Empathetic Nurturer

FOR THE EMPATHETIC NURTURER @ WORK OPPORTUNITY FOR COACHING Hiroshi is at a crossroads not because he lacks empathy, but because he has become too good at carrying other people’s weight. His instinct to protect dignity and reduce strain often leads him to absorb tension that should remain visible in the system. Teams feel supported—but some problems stay soft-edged longer than they should, and signals of underperformance or structural friction can get muted. The challenge is timing. Hiroshi senses what people need before they ask and sometimes intervenes before discomfort has done its useful work. By easing pressure early, he can unintentionally delay the moment when others step forward, take ownership, or confront difficult truths. Coaching can help him learn where not to intervene. By allowing productive tension to surface—while still preserving dignity—Hiroshi can shift from cushioning the system to helping it mature. Hiroshi: “I want to get better at knowing when helping is actually helping—and when I’m stepping in too early. My goal is to support people without taking away the chance for them to grow through the hard parts.” SHAPE THE TEAM - Invite trusted peers and senior leaders to challenge how and when he intervenes in team issues. By asking others to reflect back where support becomes over-support, Hiroshi can recalibrate his instincts and help the team build greater independence. GROW THE TALENT - Shift from solving people’s problems to coaching them through them. Seek input from experienced leaders and HR partners on when to step back, allowing team members to wrestle with difficulty while still knowing support is available. GUARD THE HOUSE - Establish clearer boundaries around care and accountability by partnering with HR and leadership peers to reinforce consistent standards. By sharing responsibility for people decisions, Hiroshi ensures support remains fair, sustainable, and aligned with performance expectations. C H A L L E N G E S A N D O P P O R T U N I T I E S T O B E B E T T E R CODE NAME: Hiroshi Better The Deck REFER TO COACHING ROUND ONE INSTRUCTIONS