Often, in our zeal to “be in charge,” we end up causing – or increasing – the frustration levels of those around us by not allowing individuals to demonstrate their own creativity. 

What do you notice about those types of environments? Are they enjoyable? Do you feel light and free? Or are you (or your team members) feeling tense and tight?

When managers are so focused on every detail of how a project should be run, or exactly what words have to be used in an overhead presentation . . . sadly, they are misdirecting their energies. The managers should be focused on WHAT needs to get done and not on  HOW it needs to get done.  Let the team have a say in that!

When we stifle our staff’s creativity, the direct and indirect results include things like: lower productivity, lower attendance, higher costs, and higher tension across the team.

Here are 3 suggestions for letting go of your need to “control” everything and for becoming the leader they want you to be!
    • Understand the project and skill sets needed to successfully complete the job
    • Assess the talent available to you and their availability to work on this project    
    • Be clear about what is needed and when

So when is micromanagement appropriate? Most everyone will have different thoughts on this, and certainly each situation should be evaluated on its own. Here are a two situations when a bit tighter control could be warranted:
    • A highly visible project with severe consequences for failure
    • A fairly new, inexperienced team

Some of the best projects I worked on (either as a manager or as a member of a working team) were a direct result of how much “buy-in” the team producers had in the decisions as to how they organized and in setting their own agenda for success.

Granted, delegation is risky for a manager. And it also requires a leap of faith. Yet, my experience has been that people will most always exceed your expectations if you let them!

In what ways might you begin to delegate and trust in a different way – beginning this week?

Have a Golden Day!
Coach Darlene