Time for your first major recruiting leadership transition: moving from Directing to Coaching style. This happens when confident recruiters hit market reality and start struggling with challenging roles.
You'll learn to add emotional support while maintaining clear direction - a delicate balance!
Engagement Message
Have you seen a recruiter's confidence fade when they hit difficult searches?
Picture this: Mike started excited about filling senior engineering roles. Week one, he was energetic and confident. Week three, he's asking fewer questions and seems frustrated with candidate rejections.
This isn't failure - it's normal development from confident recruiter to struggling searcher.
Engagement Message
What usually causes this confidence drop in recruiting?
The market reality hits hard. Roles that seemed fillable become impossible. Early placements turn into consistent rejections. Recruiters realize they don't know the nuanced candidate market.
Your directing style got them started, but now they need emotional support too.
Engagement Message
When did you last experience this reality check in recruiting yourself?
Here's the key insight: don't reduce direction yet! They still need clear guidance because their sourcing competence is developing. But add high support - listening, encouraging, strategizing together.
Think high direction PLUS high support, not high direction OR high support.
Engagement Message
Why do you think recruiters still need direction at this stage?
Watch for these coaching transition signals: asking worried questions instead of excited ones, hesitating before reaching out to candidates, or expressing doubts about filling roles.
"I don't think I can fill this position" often means "I need coaching, not just directing."
Engagement Message
What other phrases might signal this need from recruiters?
