Quick question: Which type of leader are you?
I’ve worked with over 3,000 leaders, and I’ve noticed something.
The leaders who struggle are solving every problem personally.
The leaders who scale have made a different choice.
Type 1: The Village Fisherman
This is the leader who solves everything.
Every problem lands on your desk. Every decision needs your approval. Your team waits for you before they move.
You’re the hero. But you’re also the bottleneck.
Your team can’t function without you. Growth stops at your capacity. And you’re exhausted.
“If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.”
The cost? Your team stops learning. Your best people leave. Burnout becomes inevitable.
Type 2: The Icebreaker Leader
This leader clears the path instead of doing the work.
You’re not solving problems. You’re removing obstacles so your team can solve them.
You build trust. You give people authority. You teach instead of doing.
What happens? Your team starts making decisions without you. Problems get solved three levels down. You finally have time to think.
“My success is unlocking their speed.”
This is the shift that changes everything. Your team becomes self-sufficient. You get your time back. You actually get to lead.
Type 3: The Amplifier Leader
This leader builds systems that scale.
You’re not just developing your team. You’re creating capability across the entire organisation.
You connect people. You develop future leaders. You build culture that lasts.
Your impact multiplies. Growth becomes sustainable. Your influence extends far beyond your direct team.
“My impact multiplies through others.”
This is where leadership becomes legacy.
So which type are you?
Ask yourself three questions:
- Does your team wait for you to decide, or do they decide without you?
- Are you solving problems, or clearing obstacles?
- Are you building systems that work without you?
Your answers will tell you where you are.
Here’s what I know
Most leaders start as Village Fishermen. That’s normal. It’s what got you promoted.
But it’s also what’s holding you back.
Moving to Icebreaker changes everything. Your team becomes capable. You get hours back every week. You stop firefighting and start leading.
Moving to Amplifier multiplies your impact. You create value that outlasts you. You build leaders who build leaders.
But these shifts don’t happen by accident.
They don’t happen from reading a book or going to a workshop.
They happen by redesigning how you lead. Week by week. System by system.
I’ve spent 15 years working out exactly how to make these shifts happen. I’ve guided thousands of leaders through this journey.
From drowning to leading with ease.
From bottleneck to amplifier.
It’s not complicated. But it is specific.
Try this
When someone in your team comes to you to solve their problem, ask them: “What do you suggest?”
This will make them think and come up with something which will either be a yes, nearly yes or no from you.
If yes, give them the authority. Give them the context. Then step back.
That’s your first step from Village Fisherman to Icebreaker.
But one step isn’t enough to make the full shift.
You need the complete system.
Final thought
Leadership isn’t about how many problems you can solve.
It’s about how many problem-solvers you can create.
Which type of leader are you right now?
More importantly: Which type do you want to be?
When you are ready to find out more, here are a few ways you can connect with me
- Tired of leadership advice that doesn’t work in the real world? → Get practical insights that actually work
- Stuck in the leadership weeds and can’t see a way out? → Book your 1:1 Strategic Breakthrough Session
- Ready to reclaim 6+ hours weekly and lead with confidence instead of firefighting in chaos? → Discover Amplify
- Exhausted from your team needing constant oversight and direction? → Transform them with WoW
- Burning out from leadership overwhelm? → Get the antidote (my book)
- Ready to lead difficult conversations with confidence? → Download the free PIXAR Tool
