I spoke recently with a fantastic organization on the topic of boundary setting. How do we ensure that we are empowering those around us to do their jobs so that we can be freed up to do the work that only we can do?
First, it’s important to recognize that it feels good to have the right answer. It’s nice to be needed and relied upon. Your commitment to having the right answer is likely what got you where you are today. But it won’t get you where you need to go tomorrow.
If you’re taking control of every action and decision, you are severely limiting what you’re able to achieve. Instead, when a team member comes to you with a problem, turn it back on them: What have you tried? What do you think might work? Let them take the lead. It may take them longer, and they may make more mistakes than you would have, but allow them the space that someone gave you, to learn how to do what they need to do. And they may come up with a great solution that never occurred to you. (When they do, acknowledge them!)
You don’t always have to be the superhero. Let someone else wear the cape sometimes.