Podcast Summary: "The Power of Starting Small, with Aaron Lincoln"

Episode Details:

• Title: The Power of Starting Small, with Aaron Lincoln
• Host: Dave Stachowiak
• Release Date: August 14, 2025
• Podcast: Coaching for Leaders

Introduction

In this episode of Coaching for Leaders, host Dave Stachowiak engages in a compelling conversation with Aaron Lincoln, a seasoned engineering leader in the aviation industry. The discussion centers on the transformative impact of adopting small, manageable actions to foster effective leadership, particularly through coaching.

Guest Background

Aaron Lincoln brings over two decades of experience in the aviation sector, spanning both defense and commercial aviation. Her extensive background provides a solid foundation for her insights into leadership and coaching.

[00:50] Aaron Lincoln: "I'm an engineering leader in the aviation industry. I have 21 years of experience. I've worked at a few different companies and in a few different sectors of the aviation industry, both in defense and in commercial aviation."

Discovery of the Podcast and Joining the Academy

Aaron discovered the Coaching for Leaders podcast while seeking to enhance her leadership skills based on constructive feedback. This led her to apply for the academy, aiming to gain coaching expertise and benefit from a supportive, diverse community.

[01:12] Aaron Lincoln: "I had been seeking to advance my career. I had gotten some really great feedback about some areas that I could hone in to make sure I would be successful as I advanced forward... I found Coaching for Leaders. And the rest was history."

Setting Commitments: Focusing on Coaching

Upon joining the academy, Aaron identified several focus areas, ultimately choosing to emphasize coaching. She believed that by prioritizing coaching, she could lay a strong foundation for empowering her employees and shaping a positive organizational culture.

[03:39] Aaron Lincoln: "I zeroed in in different places along the way in empowering my employees, coaching and being a culture shaper. But the one that I started with and the one that had the biggest impact on me was being a coach."

Implementing Actions: One Coaching Question per Day

Aaron adopted a simple yet effective strategy: asking one coaching question per day during her one-on-one meetings with her team. This approach was manageable and seamlessly integrated into her daily routine, ensuring consistency without overwhelming her schedule.

[05:12] Aaron Lincoln: "My one action that I was doing was asking one coaching question per day... I gathered and printed out my favorite coaching questions. I would review them daily and in my one on ones, I would simply hold myself accountable to ask one coaching question per day."

Results and Unexpected Outcomes

The practice of asking daily coaching questions yielded significant benefits. Aaron noticed increased trust within her team, more open communication, and a ripple effect of positive behavior beyond her immediate interactions. Her team members began to emulate coaching behaviors, enhancing overall team dynamics.

[07:13] Aaron Lincoln: "I was hearing more context and information from my direct reports over time... I ended up building a lot of trust with my team. And that was amazing. But it's not what I expected. It was really better than I expected."

[08:14] Aaron Lincoln: "I improved our relationships. Not just me and my direct reports... there was some emulation of behavior. So I think just showing them how to be more coach-like had a bit of a ripple effect."

Accountability and Community Support

A key element of Aaron's success was the accountability mechanism within the academy. Regular check-ins with a partner ensured she stayed committed to her goals, providing an extra layer of motivation and support.

[10:10] Aaron Lincoln: "Knowing that we're going to have that check-in made me think about my commitment and ensure that I was holding up my end. It gave me an extra check in with myself."

Dave emphasizes the importance of community, highlighting how collective efforts and mutual accountability make sustaining new habits more achievable.

[11:33] Dave Stachowiak: "When you're working with others, it's just so much more likely you'll come along, you'll help each other stay accountable. It makes it easier."

Mindset Shifts and Tools in Leadership

Throughout her journey in the academy, Aaron experienced significant mindset shifts. She learned to view coaching as one of many essential tools in her leadership toolbox, understanding that different situations require different approaches.

[12:15] Aaron Lincoln: "After the commitment was so incredibly successful and helpful and I got pretty good at doing some coaching, I then got stuck a little bit in certain meetings feeling like I needed to coach all the time... that's just one of my tools."

Dave echoes this sentiment, underscoring the necessity of versatility in leadership approaches.

[13:16] Dave Stachowiak: "There are times we should be more coach. There's also times we do need to be direct... it's just one of the many reasons we hit on so many aspects during our time in the academy."

Integrating Learning into Daily Work

Dave discusses a common challenge: the tendency for learning to disrupt work without effective integration. The academy's approach emphasizes small, incremental actions that align with daily responsibilities, ensuring that new practices are seamlessly adopted rather than temporarily interrupting routines.

[14:06] Dave Stachowiak: "Our aim in the academy is to integrate with work rather than interrupt it. That's why we're taking actions like she did in small steps... shift behavior consistency over intensity."

Conclusion

Aaron Lincoln's experience on the Coaching for Leaders podcast episode "The Power of Starting Small" illustrates the profound impact of adopting manageable, consistent actions in leadership development. By focusing on daily coaching questions and leveraging community support, Aaron not only enhanced her own leadership capabilities but also fostered a culture of trust and proactive communication within her team. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to the effectiveness of starting small to achieve significant, lasting change in leadership practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Start Small: Implementing minor, consistent actions can lead to substantial leadership improvements.
• Accountability Matters: Regular check-ins and community support enhance commitment and success.
• Versatility in Leadership: Effective leaders use a variety of tools and approaches tailored to different situations.
• Integrated Learning: Seamless incorporation of new practices into daily routines ensures sustainable change.

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Lincoln [05:12]: "I would simply hold myself accountable to ask one coaching question per day."
• Aaron Lincoln [07:13]: "I ended up building a lot of trust with my team. And that was amazing. But it's not what I expected."
• Dave Stachowiak [14:06]: "Shift behavior consistency over intensity."

For more insights and to access a comprehensive leadership library, visit CoachingforLeaders.com.