Finding the Torch Under the Stairs
Leadership by Design
My partner was recently crouched in the dark space under our stairs, attempting to read the utility metres. It is the sort of task that is usually accompanied by a bit of fumbling and frustration. However, as they opened the utility provider’s app to input the numbers, they noticed a small button. This button automatically turned on the phone’s torch. It was a simple, thoughtful addition to the user interface.
I found this moment profoundly inspiring. It is a perfect example of design based on genuine empathy. The developer clearly visualised the user’s environment and understood that metre cupboards are almost always poorly lit. By anticipating this specific need, they transformed a minor struggle into a seamless experience.
This level of foresight is exactly what we should strive for in our professional lives. It represents a shift from reactive management to proactive, human-centric leadership. In this edition of the newsletter, I want to explore how we can apply this ‘torch button’ philosophy to coaching and leading teams.
The Core Concepts of Anticipatory Leadership
To lead with the same intentionality as that app developer, we must focus on three core concepts.
The first is Contextual Empathy. This goes beyond simply understanding how someone feels. It involves understanding the physical, mental, and emotional environment in which your team operates. If you know the ‘cupboard’ is dark, you do not wait for them to ask for a light. You provide it as part of the process.
The second concept is Frictionless Support. This is the art of removing obstacles before they cause a slowdown. In my book, Enhanced Leadership, I discuss the importance of being a ‘pathfinder’ for your team. I note: ‘Leadership is the proactive removal of barriers, often before the team even realises those barriers exist.’ By streamlining processes and providing the right tools at the right time, you allow your people to focus on their best work.
The third concept is Implicit Trust. When a leader provides support without being asked, it signals a deep level of awareness and care. It shows the team that their leader is present, attentive, and invested in their success. This builds a foundation of trust that is essential for high performance.
Applying Design Thinking to Leadership
When we look at the ‘torch button’ example, we see a solution that is integrated and immediate. We can replicate this in our leadership style by auditing the daily experiences of our staff.
Consider the ‘dark corners’ of your organisation. These might be confusing onboarding processes, vague project briefs, or a lack of clarity around decision-making power. As a leader, your role is to identify these areas and install a figurative ‘torch’.
For example, if you know a particular phase of a project is always stressful, you might schedule a brief check-in or provide extra resources before the pressure peaks. This is not micromanagement. It is the thoughtful provision of support based on a deep understanding of the work’s demands.
Practical Applications for Leaders
For those in leadership positions, the goal is to become more observant of the small frustrations your team faces.
Observe the ‘Metre Reading’ Moments: Take time to shadow your team or engage in ‘skip-level’ meetings. Look for the moments where they have to pause, pivot, or struggle with a tool.
Ask the Right Questions: Instead of asking ‘how are you?’, ask ‘what is the one thing slowing you down this week?’. This encourages people to identify the friction points you can help resolve.
Lead by Design, Not Default: Do not rely on ‘how we have always done it’. If a process is cumbersome, redesign it with the user’s ease in mind.
In Enhanced Leadership, I emphasise that: ‘The most effective leaders are those who make the difficult look easy for their followers.’ By providing the ‘torch’ before it is requested, you empower your team to act with confidence.
Practical Applications for Coaches
If you are a coach, these principles can help you deepen your practice and provide more value to your clients.
Anticipate the Resistance: Often, clients face predictable internal barriers when trying to change a habit. Acknowledge these early. Provide the ‘torch’ of awareness so they can navigate their own ‘dark cupboards’ of self-doubt.
Simplify the Framework: Just as the app developer put the button right where the user needed it, coaches should provide tools that are easy to access and apply. Avoid overly complex models that add cognitive load.
Model the Empathy: Show your clients what it looks like to be deeply understood. When a client feels that you truly ‘see’ their environment, the coaching relationship strengthens significantly.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The ‘torch button’ is a reminder that the most impactful leadership often happens in the smallest details. It is about being present enough to see where the light is needed and being proactive enough to provide it. When we design our leadership and coaching around the actual needs of people, we create environments where everyone can thrive.
Let us all look for the dark corners this week and see how we might turn on the light for someone else.
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