I Have Some Questions...
What if leadership wasn’t about having the answers—but about asking better questions?
On "I Have Some Questions…", Erik Berglund – a founder, coach, and Speechcraft evangelist – dives into the conversations that high performers aren’t having enough. This isn’t your typical leadership podcast. It’s a tactical deep-dive into the soft skills that actually drive results: the hard-to-nail moments of accountability, the awkward feedback loops, and the language that turns good leaders into great ones.
Each week, Erik explores a question that has shaped his own journey. Expect raw, unpolished curiosity. Expect conversations with bold thinkers, rising leaders, and practitioners who are tired of recycled advice and ready to talk about what really works. Expect episodes that get under the hood of how real change happens: through what we say, how we say it, and how often we practice it.
This show is for driven managers, emerging execs, and anyone who knows that real growth comes from curiosity rather than charisma.
Subscribe if you’re ready to stop winging it and start leading with intention.
I Have Some Questions...
073: Which Leadership Phase Are You In (Really)?
In this solo episode, Erik maps out the leadership lifecycle — from the moment you step into a new leadership role to the point where you’re building your replacement. It’s a powerful framework for self-awareness and strategic leadership, especially for those stuck in “Chief Problem Solver” mode. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, over-involved, or unsure of your next leadership move, this episode delivers the clarity you need.
❓ The Big Question
Why do so many capable leaders get stuck — and how do you break the cycle?
💡 Key Takeaways
- Your leadership lifecycle isn’t about age — it’s about stages.
- Most new leaders fall into the “prove it” trap and over-function.
- If your team depends on you for everything, you’re the bottleneck.
- The next level of leadership is earned by building trust, autonomy, and capacity in others.
- You can’t truly move on until you’ve built your replacement.
🧠 Concepts, Curves, and Frameworks
- The Leadership Lifecycle
A 5-phase progression every effective leader must go through:- The Mental Game – Overcoming doubt, imposter syndrome, and the “why me?” question.
- Digging the Hole – Becoming overly involved, solving all the problems, creating dependence.
- Filling the Hole – Unraveling unhelpful patterns, resetting expectations, shifting accountability.
- Solid Ground – Your team runs without you; you’ve built competence and trust.
- The Launch Pad – Visioning, scaling, and identifying your successor.
- Leadership as Influence Toward Advantage
Not manipulation, not control — but helping others move forward, for their benefit. - Replacing Yourself Is a Growth Strategy
Promotions stall when companies don’t see a ready backfill. No replacement = no next role.
🔁 Real-Life Reflections
- Leaders often don’t realize they’re in the hole until they hit burnout or stagnation.
- Erik shares candidly how he once micromanaged deals and unintentionally limited a capable team.
- He also names the quiet pride and clarity that comes from recognizing you’re no longer in damage control.
🧰 Put This Into Practice
- ✏️ Reflect on which phase you’re in — honestly.
- 🧩 Identify where you've created dependencies and start shifting ownership back to your team.
- 🛠️ Use the phrase “Here’s what I did that made this harder for us — and here’s how I want to change it” to reset expectations.
- 🚀 Spot the transition point where damage control ends and strategic growth begins — don’t miss it.
- 🔍 Begin developing your replacement before you need to — not after.
🗣️ Favorite Quotes
“You don’t owe anyone an answer for why you got promoted — you didn’t make the hire.”
“The more you solve problems for your team, the more you’ll keep solving problems for your team.”
“If you’re still leading like you’re in damage control, you’re going to lose your best people.”
“Leadership isn’t about proving you belong — it’s about building trust and making others better.”
“The final step in leading well is creating your replacement. That’s how you earn your next leap.”