What’s your bold move this week? Maybe it’s handing something off and coaching your team through it instead of doing it yourself.
You’re in the bigger seat now. For years you were good at the work. Now the job is leading the people who do it. In your new role, the hands-on work should fade and your team should pick it up.
Handing it off is scary.
Doing it yourself feels easier, because you already know how to do that part well. Multiply that by everything you want done a certain way, and your days fill up doing the work instead of leading it.
When you aren’t getting what you need, start with yourself. Did you make it clear? Setting a clear expectation means:
- State the why behind your request
- Establish a clear deadline
- Identify what done looks like
- Share something they can use as an example
- Give ideas about what to do when they’re stuck
Once the expectation is clear, coach them until they get it right. They won’t nail it the first time, and that’s where it will be tempting to take it back. Build a feedback loop instead. Tell them specifically what’s working and what isn’t, let them take another pass, and do it again. Each round gets them closer.
Investing the time on the front end builds their skillset, and a stronger team gives you back the time you need to lead.
Every time you let something go, you lift someone else up. You’re telling them, “I trust you with this.” You’re showing them that you believe they’re capable of more.
Your job now is to lead, not do.
My bold move this week: I’m resisting the urge to do it myself. I have a great team and I need to lean on them. I’m picking one thing to hand off, setting clear expectations, and coaching them through it instead of stepping in.
What’s one thing you’re still holding onto because it’s easier to do it yourself? Drop it in the comments.