In a world where knowledge is everywhere and answers are easier than ever to find, is knowing the answer still a leader’s greatest strength?

In this episode of The Leadership Lab podcast by The Colour Works, Luke Wiltshire and Lucy Pearson are joined by Nic Scott, founder of Seeds Coaching, to put her leadership hypothesis under the microscope:

“The leaders who create the most value aren’t the ones with the best answers. They’re the ones who ask the best questions.”

Nic shares her journey from the wine industry and multi-site leadership into learning, development and coaching. Together, they explore how curiosity and coaching skills can help leaders build trust, create psychological safety, empower their teams and unlock better performance.

The conversation examines whether every leader can learn to coach, whether everyone wants to be coached, and when employees need questions rather than clear direction. Nic also shares her perspective on AI coaching, remote leadership and why slowing down to ask one more question can ultimately save leaders time.

In this episode, they explore:

• Why leaders do not need to be the expert in every situation
• How better questions encourage ownership and accountability
• The relationship between coaching, trust and psychological safety
• When leaders should coach and when they should provide direction
• How coaching can support remote and hybrid teams
• Whether AI coaching can replace human connection
• Why curiosity should be directed inward as well as towards others

Nic’s leadership behaviour for the Leadership Lab Periodic Table is Curiosity — the willingness to remain open, challenge assumptions and stay interested in both your people and yourself.

Her practical challenge for leaders is simple:

Can you ask one more question?

Find out more about Nic Scott

Nic Scott is the founder of Seeds Coaching, helping organisations develop coaching cultures where people can think better, lead more effectively and take greater ownership of their performance.

Connect with Nic and explore more of her work:

LinkedIn: Nicola Scott – Seeds Coaching
Instagram: @seeds_coaching
Website: seedscoaching.co.uk

About The Colour Works

The Colour Works is a people development consultancy helping organisations build more human, connected and effective workplaces.

Through leadership development, team effectiveness, culture change, executive coaching and Insights Discovery, we help individuals and organisations develop greater self-awareness, improve communication and unlock sustainable performance.

Discover more about our work, workshops and leadership development programmes at: thecolourworks.com

The Leadership Lab is a podcast from The Colour Works, exploring real leadership challenges through honest conversations, fresh thinking and practical experimentation.