Why You Must Balance Involvement and Delegation

(c) Patrick Flesner, 2024

Leadership is a delicate dance between being actively involved and delegating effectively. Finding the right level of involvement is critical, as both micromanagement and a hands-off approach have their pitfalls.

At one end of the spectrum lies the risk of micromanagement, exemplified by Laura, the CEO of a fast-growing tech startup. In the company’s early stages, which were characterized by a flat organizational structure, Laura’s direct involvement in all aspects of the business was instrumental to the company’s success. Yet, as the organization’s size exceeded 100 employees, the same level of involvement began to backfire.

Laura’s desire to maintain control and reluctance to delegate decision-making led to significant delays, as team members awaited her approval for even minor tasks. This bottleneck not only slowed down the company’s growth but also culminated in frustration and high rates of attrition.

At the other end of the spectrum, some leaders exhibit an overly hands-off approach, often described as “laissez-faire leadership”. Keith, the CEO of an innovation unit within a public company, exemplifies this style. In his determination to avoid micromanagement, Keith distanced himself too much from day-to-day operations. This absence of leadership made his team feel unsupported and directionless, which led to uncoordinated initiatives, waning motivation, and ultimately, increased employee turnover.

The examples of Laura and Keith illustrate that the art of effective leadership is about striking the right balance of leadership involvement and team autonomy. To aid executives like Laura and Keith in finding the right level of involvement in the right situation, I have designed a leadership framework composed of “The Leadership Scale” and “Corrective Considerations”.

Leadership Scale and Corrective Considerations

You can read all about the "Leadership Scale" and the "Corrective Considerations" in this article I've written for the business management magazine I by 瑞士洛桑国际管理发展学院 (IMD) - 商学院 and my leadership book "The Leadership House".

What now?

Please read about the leadership scale and the corrective considerations and ask yourself if you always strike the right balance between stepping in and stepping back, between being hands-on and hands-off, and between being involved and delegating effectively. I am sure the framework I developed for my coachees will also help you avoid being a micromanager and becoming a more effective leader.

If you find value in these 'Leadership Shots', please subscribe to this newsletter and be so kind to share it with your network. Thanks!

On Monday, I will share with you an infographic reflecting the leadership scale and the corrective considerations.

Here's to taking another leadership shot!

Patrick Flesner

ABOUT PATRICK FLESNER

Dr. Patrick Flesner is a leadership and executive coach, a former professional handball player in the 1st German League, a recognised bestselling author, a TEDx and Keynote Speaker, and a renowned expert in the field of leadership. His diverse background, which includes roles as a partner in prestigious German law firms, a leadership position in a publicly traded company, and as a partner in a venture capital fund, has endowed him with a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective on leadership.

If you are interested in leadership coaching or engaging Patrick as a keynote speaker, please connect and send a message. You can also find more information here.

THE LEADERSHIP HOUSE

Praise for The Leadership House

"In this little book, you will find the tools necessary to enhance your leadership journey. Thanks Patrick for giving us such a gift.”

—Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks International

"Great storytelling alongside with the simultaneous communication of facts. In this book, the essentials of leadership are impressively presented in an unusual and memorable setting."

—Gisbert Rühl, former CEO of Kl?ckner & Co SE

"Most leadership books are either too theoretic, esoteric, or complex--or all of the above. The Leadership House stands out. It conveys how to lead effectively, wrapped in an inspiring story full of leadership wisdom and actionable insights. This book is not only fun to read, but makes you learn how to lead with ease. Highly recommended for any leader and all who wish to become one."

—Matthias Heutger, Partner at Porsche Consulting and former Senior Vice President, Global Head of Innovation & Commercial Development at DHL Group

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