Coaching the Architect

People often come to coaching because they’re wrestling with the same kinds of challenges. One message I hear again and again goes something like this:

“I’m overwhelmed by how inefficient everyone around me is. I just want to take over the project to get it done right.”

On the surface, this sounds like a project management problem. But through the Tilt framework, it becomes clear what’s really going on.

The Architect’s superpower is Diligence—their ability to be thorough, dependable, and detail-oriented. It’s a huge strength. But under stress, even our strengths can turn against us. For the Architect, Diligence can tip into micromanagement or isolation. The harder they try to protect quality, the more they take on themselves—and the more overwhelmed they feel.

Here’s how a coach might respond:

Coach: “I hear how much you care about the quality of the work — your diligence is one of your biggest strengths. At the same time, when you’re under pressure, that same strength can start to feel like a burden. Instead of just ensuring excellence, it can push you toward micromanaging or carrying the weight alone — which only increases your stress.”

The growth path here is to Tilt toward Connection, especially the strength of Openness—learning to build trust, invite collaboration, and share ownership.

One small experiment can make a big difference:

Coach: “What’s one part of the project you could let go of today, just to test the waters?”

Transformation doesn’t always start with a big leap. Sometimes it begins with a single step—loosening the grip, inviting others in, and realizing that excellence doesn’t have to mean doing it all alone.