Lessons in Leadership: How I Learned to Let Go and Trust My Team

"You can do anything, but not everything." – David Allen

As we step into another busy week, I want to share a lesson that’s been an important part of my journey as an entrepreneur: learning to let go and trust my team.

We as entrepreneurs, are often driven to control even the smallest detail of our businesses. We’re the visionaries, the problem-solvers, the ones willing to do whatever it takes. But is that truly viable?

I recall one of those specifically hectic weeks with a busy schedule, hopping from one airport to another, catching up on meetings followed by facilitating workshops throughout the week, and my inbox flooded with emails. Rest seemed like a far-off idea to me after yet another week of hustle, but then I realized that I couldn't continue doing everything myself. My approach simply wasn’t sustainable.

I decided to take a step back! When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I wore every hat. CEO, salesperson, trainer, accountant - you name it, I did it. It was hard to let others take over responsibilities that felt so deeply personal, like they were part of me, like “my baby”. But as Khrysalis Training & Consultancy LLP grew, I realized that to sustain and get ahead of our competitors, I needed to let go and start delegating.

I started small, handing over less critical tasks, and giving my team the space to learn and grow, even if it took time. Slowly my trust in my team grew, and so did their confidence. With each milestone that we achieved, I saw their enthusiasm and commitment translate into results, and soon even vital tasks began to flow smoothly, almost on autopilot.

Important lessons for me were:

1. Letting Go of Control: Starting with smaller tasks, I learned that delegating doesn’t mean giving up control; it means empowering others to contribute meaningfully.
2. Building Confidence: Trust is a two-way street. By showing faith in my team, they gained confidence in their own abilities to take on even bigger responsibilities.
3. Treating Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Mistakes are part of growth, especially when people step into new roles. Instead of viewing them as setbacks, I treated them as stepping stones and helped the team channel their efforts constructively.
4. Communicating Purpose: Explaining the “why” behind each task made all the difference. When people understood the impact of their work, they felt genuinely invested and took ownership.
5. Offering Coaching and Consistent Appreciation: Offering guidance when needed and expressing appreciation consistently has transformed our team dynamic. I have seen that appreciation has the power to turn effort into excellence.

A sudden change occurred when I stepped back, my team began to shine. Released from the burden of micromanagement, they not only took ownership but also started to innovate and improve procedures in ways I hadn't expected. Above all, I discovered that I had more energy. I could engage in hobbies, spend more time with my family, and take a real, stress-free vacation.

Now, my focus has shifted. Instead of being a bottleneck, I’m a strategist, channelling my energy towards growth, innovation, and the bigger picture.

Whether you are a CEO or a manager who is juggling multiple tasks, I encourage you to start practising delegation and trusting your team. You might find they’re more capable than you realised. Let go, and you may see not only your business but also your well-being improve.

In your leadership journey, what actions have you taken to delegate, build trust and empower your team?