The Art of Delegation Isn't Selfish - It's Essential
So last week I wrote about delegation (you can check it out here ➡️Delegate or Suffocate). But after hitting publish, I kept thinking about it at like 2 am. You know how those middle-of-the-night thoughts can be the clearest sometimes?
Here's what's been bothering me - I keep meeting these amazing, thoughtful leaders who feel GUILTY about delegating. They look at their busy teams and think, "I can't possibly add one more thing to their plates."
And I get it. I really do.
Your caring about your team's workload shows what a compassionate leader you are.
But what if we're actually looking at this all wrong?
Think about those old wooden ships - not the fancy cruise ships with buffets and pool decks - I'm talking about those Mayflower-type vessels where everyone's survival literally depended on each person doing their specific job.
Imagine you're the captain of that ship.
Would you:
a) Run down to the galley to cook the meals because you don't want to "burden" the cook?
b) Start personally scrubbing the deck because the crew looks tired?
c) Abandon your post at the wheel during a storm to tie down supplies because everyone else seems busy?
Of course not!
Because on that ship, your MOST IMPORTANT job is staying at the helm, watching the horizon, and making the big decisions that keep everyone safe.
If you abandoned your captain's role to do someone else's job, you'd actually put the entire ship at risk. The crew isn't looking for you to take on their work - they're counting on you to see what they can't see, to make decisions they don't have the perspective to make.
That storm on the horizon? Your crew is RELYING on you to spot it, communicate it, and help them adjust course. That's not "giving them more work" - it's literally saving the ship.
Next time you feel guilty about delegation, ask yourself: Am I being a good captain by trying to do everyone's job? Or would my team be better served if I stayed focused on the horizon, communicated what I see, and trusted them to adjust the sails?
Your team doesn't need another pair of hands on deck. They need a captain with a clear vision who trusts them to do their jobs.
What are you trying to handle today that someone on your crew might actually be better positioned to tackle?
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