Unleashing potential: How to inspire and engage your team

Let’s talk about something that gets me fired up: POTENTIAL. Not just your potential, but the raw, untapped power locked inside every single person on your team. You've got experience, you've seen the game, and you've probably had some wins. But are you truly unleashing the force that’s right in front of you?

You might think you've got a solid team. You've got people who show up, do their jobs, meet their deadlines. But are they thriving? Are they excited to come to work? Or are they just... existing?

As an experienced manager, you've got a lot of responsibility. You're carrying a big load. You've got goals to meet and you're pushing yourself to achieve them. You're probably working hard, maybe even too hard. And the result? You've become a bottleneck. You’ve become the central point of all decision-making. Your team is waiting for you. They're waiting for permission. They're waiting for the next instruction. And they're frustrated.

You know what that leads to? Boredom. Apathy. Stagnation. And ultimately, a loss of passion and performance. Sound familiar?

I’ve been in the trenches for 35 years. I've seen this pattern time and time again. You've got a team that has so much more to offer, but it is being held back by one single thing: you.

It's time to break that cycle, and it starts with shifting your mindset. You’re not there to babysit your team; you’re there to be their catalyst. You’re there to ignite their inner fire, to unlock their dormant superpowers.

So how do you do it? Here are some tips:

1. Stop Micromanaging, Start Empowering: You’ve hired talented people. Start acting like it. Stop hovering, and start trusting. That means setting clear goals, providing the resources, and then getting the hell out of their way. Let them own their work, let them make decisions, and let them make mistakes. Mistakes are the best teachers.

2. Challenge the Status Quo: Don't settle for "good enough". Push your team to think bigger, to innovate, and to challenge the accepted norms. Create a culture where it’s okay to fail, and it’s expected that they learn. You want a team that is always hungry to improve, and is not afraid of pushing boundaries.

3. Unleash the Power of Empowerment Your job is not to do everything, but to make sure that everything gets done. Start delegating with a purpose. Don't just dump tasks; delegate with an understanding that this is a developmental opportunity for your team. Empower people by trusting them to get things done, and showing them that they are capable of handling bigger responsibilities.

4. Listen with an Open Mind (and Heart): Your team has ideas, and they have answers. Are you listening? Are you creating a space where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts? Start listening more than you talk. Create a dialogue, rather than just a monologue. Actively listen to their needs, and their concerns. You might be surprised at what you discover.

5. Fuel the Fire with Recognition: People want to be seen, they want to be valued, and they want to be appreciated. So, start giving them the recognition they deserve. It can be small, or it can be grand. Make sure that it is genuine and timely. Celebrate their wins, highlight their accomplishments, and let them know that their contributions make a difference.

6. Provide Opportunities for Growth: People are hungry to learn, and they want to grow. Don't hold them back. Provide training, offer mentoring, and give them opportunities to step outside their comfort zones. Invest in their development, and you’ll see a return on that investment. Their growth will become your growth.

You have an army of potential waiting to be unlocked, so stop stifling that potential with micromanagement. Start making changes today. It's time to shift from being a manager who dictates, to being a leader who empowers.

Your team's success is not a threat to you, but an affirmation of your leadership.