New protocols for controlled reduction of carboxamides to either alcohols or amines were established using a combination of sodium hydride (NaH) and zinc halides (ZnX2). Use of a different halide on ZnX2 dictates the selectivity, wherein the NaH‐ZnI2 system delivers alcohols and NaH‐ZnCl2 gives amines. Extensive mechanistic studies by experimental and theoretical approaches imply that polymeric zinc