11 Leadership Phrases That Strengthen Teams: Your Monday Morning Challenge
Nov 17, 2025Words shape behaviour.
Behaviour shapes culture.
And culture shapes how a team performs under pressure.
In my work with leaders, I see the same pattern again and again: it’s not the big strategy conversations that shift a team—it’s the everyday language people hear from their manager, their colleagues, and themselves.
Below is a set of phrases adapted from the work of Dr. Christian Poensgen, rewritten through the lens of emotional intelligence and the coaching approach we use at Hooper Rees.
Your Monday Morning Challenge
This week, choose to use these 11 phrases on purpose.
Then watch carefully how those around you respond.
The noticing part is essential.
Without awareness, a phrase is just noise.
With awareness, it becomes a leadership tool.
11 Phrases to Strengthen Your Team
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“I trust how you think about this.”
Trust builds confidence. -
“You’re in charge of this one.”
Ownership encourages growth. -
“How do you see it?”
Curiosity invites new ideas. -
“I know you can handle this. I’m here if you need support.”
People feel steady, not abandoned. -
“This is challenging, but I’m confident in you.”
Acknowledges difficulty while reinforcing capability. -
“What would help you succeed?”
Opens the door to an honest conversation. -
“Let’s take a moment to recognise this win.”
Progress deserves attention. -
“What’s getting in the way?”
Helps uncover obstacles people rarely share unprompted. -
“I see the effort you’ve put in.”
Effort matters just as much as outcomes. -
“We’ll work through this together.”
Strengthens connection, especially when pressure rises. -
“What’s one thing you took from this experience?”
Every moment becomes an opportunity to grow.
Why This Challenge Works
Because the impact isn’t only in the words—it’s in your awareness of what happens after the words.
Watch for:
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More openness
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Less hesitation
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Clearer communication
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A shift in how people show up with you
Small tweaks often create the biggest changes.
Try it this week, observe the response, and see what starts to move.
If you want to strengthen your own emotional intelligence—and your team’s—you can reach me at [email protected].