The Hidden Cost of Bubble-Wrapping Your Team
Ever feel like you’re spending more energy protecting a team member than they’re actually delivering?
That’s what I call bubble-wrapping your staff. On the surface it feels kind, patient, even “good leadership.” But the truth? You’re cushioning them from reality, and in the process, making them fragile.
What Bubble-Wrapping Looks Like
Shielding them from real responsibility
Avoiding tough conversations
Fixing mistakes for them instead of coaching
Hoping they’ll “bounce back” on their own
Sound familiar? Then you’re not leading — you’re babysitting.
Why It Backfires
It drains your energy: You’re carrying their weight and yours.
It demotivates your high-performers: Strong team members get frustrated when they see one person being cushioned.
It dilutes your authority: The longer you avoid conversations, the harder it becomes to course-correct.
Bubble-wrap feels soft, but it’s suffocating your growth.
The Fix
Have the hard conversation. Accountability isn’t cruelty — it’s clarity.
Document expectations. Job descriptions + SOPs take away excuses.
Coach, don’t coddle. Feedback should build competence, not dependency.
Set a timeframe. Improvement should be visible — not indefinite.
Key Takeaway
Protecting someone too much isn’t kindness — it’s sabotage. Real leadership means giving people the space (and the standards) to stand on their own two feet.
Next Step
If you’ve got someone you’re bubble-wrapping right now, it’s time to stop cushioning and start leading.
👉 Book a Strategy Session with me and let’s reset roles, rebuild accountability, and get you out of the babysitting loop.
About Selina
Selina Johnson is a Fractional COO and Operations Strategist helping high-performing service-based CEOs fix messy team structures, install smart systems, and lead without burnout. With over 20 years in operations, she’s the strategic partner behind the scenes scaling multi-6 and 7-figure businesses across healthcare, wellness, and consulting. When she's not building airtight ops plans, she’s voice-noting CEOs via her on-call Hotline or mapping out team transformations in her Ultimate Delegation System.