Leaders often waste energy trying to fix what isn’t theirs to fix. Marcus Aurelius said it best:

“Is your cucumber bitter? Throw it away. Are there briars in your path? Turn aside. That is enough. Do not go on and say, ‘Why were things of this sort ever brought into this world?’”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

In his Meditations, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher uses a cucumber as a metaphor for how to deal with unpleasant things in life. His message is simple: don’t waste your breath complaining—just move on from what’s bitter.

We share a similar message with the leaders we coach: your job is not to fix people.

Keep the leadership of people simple:

• Clarify the result each person owns. What outcome are they responsible for?
• Define what great performance looks like—and what poor performance looks like.
• Set clear cultural expectations. What behaviors fit, and what won’t be tolerated?
• Ensure they have the resources to succeed.
• Give timely feedback—positive or corrective—as soon as it’s earned.

If a leader consistently does these things (which is not easy), their team will thrive. If someone on the team isn’t thriving, it’s not a mystery—it’s a mismatch of talent or desire.

You can’t coach your way out of that.

Giving it more time only damages the team.

Leadership isn’t about fixing people.
It’s about clarity, accountability, and courage.

Reflection Question:
​Where are you spending energy trying to fix someone who’s simply not a fit?