"So Why Am I Here?"

Leading the Extra Mile; P2

“So why am I here?” A question that I have found myself asking a handful of times over the years. It’s nothing out of the ordinary with many people asking that same question over the course of their careers. We ask this question at a number of different points. People tend to ask this question at different stages of frustration, confusion, and uncertainty. Some ask when they do not feel entrusted to perform their job, that their organization and team hired them for. This was the case for me earlier in my career, while having this overwhelming feeling of being micromanaged. I thought to myself, “If I am going to be told exactly what to do and when to do it, then why was I hired?” Don’t get me wrong, it’s one thing to receive clear expectations from your leader, but it’s another to be micromanaged step by step, minute to minute of the day. Nothing can bring down the morale and create dissension amongst a team more than a leader that does not extend trust. As a leader, I am surrounded by a team with each member playing a key role in ensuring the effectiveness of this department. They need to know that I believe in them and trust them to be able to make decisions, give direction, mentor and execute on directives. No leader is perfect, and I expect them to make mistakes throughout their professional journeys. That is how growth happens! By micromanaging your team, you stifle creativity, create resentment, destroy engagement and ultimately will drive leaders with potential away, to seek opportunities elsewhere. When I extend trust, I show my team that I believe in them; not just as a leader but as a person to do the right thing and put the team first for the greater benefit of the department and organization. I show them that I know they are capable to effectively run this department, manage team members, and develop their skills. By building that confidence within each of them, will eventually lead them to the next rung on their career ladder. Most of the time, they experience the most on the front lines and I learn from them every day. They bring new and creative ideas to the table, develop solutions and feel empowered to utilize their strengths to help take this department to another level. I have grown so much from being given autonomy in my role. Have I made mistakes? Sure. Have I learned and become a better leader? Of course. Extend trust to your teams. Don’t expect perfection… but expect growth!