Leadership Beyond Delegation: How the Best Leaders Know When to Follow

Introduction:

As a leader, your authority is important—but it’s only part of the equation. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions and delegating tasks. It’s about knowing when to step back and allow others to lead. As we approach Thanksgiving and the end of the year, this is a great time to reflect on your leadership journey. This post is the first in a series that will explore how leadership goes beyond delegation and how being a leader also means embracing followership.

Leadership is a Balance of Leading and Learning

The Challenge:
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that leadership means always being in control. But great leaders know that leading isn’t a solo act. It’s a balance of guiding others while learning from them.

Practical Application with Examples:

• Delegate Authority, Not Just Tasks:
  Rather than just tasking staff with organizing an event, delegating authority by outlining key parameters such as the objective, budget, and timeline, and then empowering others to make key decisions. For example, assign a volunteer leader to oversee the timeline and delegate roles, while you concentrate on guiding the vision and ensuring the event aligns with the organization’s broader mission. This approach allows team members to take ownership of details like scheduling, team coordination, logistics, and themes, while you maintain focus on the event’s purpose and goals.
• Build a Culture of Learning:
  At the conclusion of an event or during the start of monthly team meetings, hold debriefing sessions where team members can share updates and key lessons from their project experiences. For instance, someone might reflect on the successes of a recent retreat and propose ideas for collaborating with other initiatives based on their experiences.

Humility Opens the Door to Growth

The Challenge:
As leaders, we sometimes struggle with vulnerability and admitting we don’t have all the answers. But humility is essential for both yours and your team’s growth.

Practical Application with Examples:

• Ask for Feedback:
  In routine quarterly meetings, ask team members, “How do you feel I’ve supported you and your team over the past three months, and what could I do differently?” For example, someone might suggest clearer communication or additional support during the strategy and planning phases of an initiative. This feedback provides an opportunity for you to respond and make adjustments to better meet their needs.
• Recognize Expertise:
  If someone has a talent for financial planning, invite them to lead a budgeting workshop for your team, covering both the organization’s overall financial strategy and individual areas of responsibility. Recognize their expertise by saying, “Your guidance in structuring our finances this year has been invaluable, and I’ve learned so much from your approach.”

Gratitude and Reflection: Leading with Intention

As We Approach Thanksgiving:
Gratitude goes beyond simply saying “thank you”—it’s about intentionally recognizing and valuing the unique strengths each person brings. Leaders who cultivate gratitude foster stronger, more motivated teams.

Practical Application with Examples:

• Gratitude Check-In:
  During Thanksgiving week, take a moment to send simple handwritten thank-you notes to key leaders in your organization. For instance, you might write to your event coordinator, “I deeply appreciate the care and attention you put into ensuring our events run smoothly. Your efforts greatly enhance the experience for everyone involved.”
• End-of-Year Reflection:
  Schedule time with your team to reflect on the year using questions like:

   

  • What were our key successes as an organization?
  • How did we work together to overcome challenges?
  • What patterns or insights emerged that can guide us moving forward?

Tip: Reviewing the year week by week can help uncover forgotten moments and provide valuable insights when viewed in its entirety.

Looking Ahead: The Power of Reflection

This post is just the beginning. In the next installment, we’ll dive deeper into the art of reflection and how it can help uncover patterns, recognize growth areas, and discern where to focus your efforts in the new year.

Closing Thoughts:

True leadership is a dance of leading and learning. As we approach Thanksgiving and the close of the year, take this time to reflect on your leadership journey, express gratitude for those you serve, and begin discerning where you can grow. In the next post, we’ll explore practical ways to integrate reflection into your leadership practice.