Letting go

Sometimes being a leader and ensuring something gets done means letting go.  A common mistake is that the leader is always in control, that nothing happens without their final approval, that they are paid the big bucks to tell others what to do.  Certainly, this ties into what we have discussed thus far in regards to delegation, so let's dive a bit deeper.

To grow your business, and to grow people, you need to let go.  I remember back when I was a teenager and my mom would try to dictate my schedule, what I could and couldn't do. Now, I am not talking here about inappropriate things, I am speaking to multiple school activities, church band, school trips and so forth.  I wanted (and did) do it all.  It was (is) a part of who I am, and in a word, driven.  I want to be involved in everything. 

My mom, who God blessed me with a wonderful, sweet, caring women, is not like that at all.  She sits back, relaxes, doesn't jump into too many things, just takes it slow.  I am not saying either is correct, because each IS correct for each of us.  Back to my point...she was trying to control my schedule and life to fit her desires, interests and likes.  She didn't want me to be her, yet she certainly wanted me to slow down because that isn't how she would do it.

Now there is nothing wrong with taking breaks, we need time to regenerate.  I am simply saying that what worked for her didn't necessarily translate to work for me.  So, in the world of leading, sometimes letting go and giving the other person a chance to run their own way can yield tremendous results.  In the end, you should be concerned with the destination not so much the path taking to get there.

If by holding on you get what you want, you most likely took a piece of imagination and opportunity for growth away from the person you delegated to.  If you want to expand, grow and develop people, you need to give them room to take risks, to expand methodologies and yes, even to fail.

Next time you look to lead someone down a path, let go, give them room to work.  Your absence could actually turn out to be the best strategy.