I’ll be the first to admit it… Delegating is hard work.

But when a job is assigned to someone, it is imperative for the success of the project to let the leaders lead. There is nothing more detrimental than having a bunch of backseat drivers contradicting and second guessing every turn the actual driver takes.

Second guessing is a block to the good decision making process. It turns people into indecisive individuals who constantly come back on their decisions. Decisions made and voted on must be stuck to.

Micro-management is oftentimes the demise of organizations. The opposite is also true. You need to find a balance, empowering members or employees, giving them tasks, letting them make decisions and yes, at times, mistakes, but allowing them the chance to learn and grow from such mistakes and fix their booboos. Don’t step in if something goes wrong; let them own it.

It’s hard! It’s hard to let people make mistakes! It’s hard when you have the business or organization’s best interest at heart to make the conscious decision to allow the possibility of things going wrong. It requires a tremendous leap of faith. It’s hard to admit to yourself that other people can do what you do, as well as you do it, if not better at times. It takes maturity to accept that we are all replaceable — except for me, of course 😉 — the show must and will go on with or without you.

But it is also liberating! Not only do people shine when they are empowered, but they will likely exceed your expectations. With trust, they truly accomplish wonders. And the stress you had on your shoulders all this time, the stress you actually put on yourself, will eventually dissipate…

No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit. -Andrew Carnegie