Are You Leading, or Are You Holding the Leash?

Leadership isn’t about holding tight to the leash—it’s about setting your team free to act boldly.

Back in my early days managing a fast-paced affiliate network, I thought leadership meant being the gatekeeper. Every decision, every detail, every step had to cross my desk. It felt like “ensuring quality,” but in reality, I was the bottleneck.

I wasn’t empowering my team—I was stalling them. Our competitors weren’t waiting for us to get our act together. And my team? Frustrated, disheartened, and stuck.

That experience reminded me of something Patrick Lencioni writes in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: trust is the foundation of everything. Without it, teams falter under the weight of micromanagement and indecision. I had to let go of the leash and give my team the room to thrive—and that’s when everything changed.

Leadership is about trust, decisiveness, and clearing obstacles so your team can thrive. If every decision needs your blessing, you’re not leading but controlling. Let’s dive into how to break free of this pattern, empower your team, and reclaim the momentum you’ve been missing.

Control vs. Leadership: Are You in the Way?

Micromanagement feels like leadership, but it’s not.

When every idea, decision, or action needs your approval, it creates a culture of hesitation. Your team spends more time asking for permission than pushing for progress. It’s not just frustrating—it’s unsustainable.

Leadership isn’t about approving every decision; it’s about setting direction and equipping your team with the tools to execute. Trust is the foundation. If you’re not delegating decisions, you’re probably not building trust.

Quick Exercise: Audit your interactions this week. Are you stepping in to approve things that your team could handle alone? Highlight one or two areas where you can start empowering them immediately.

Great leaders don’t just get out of the way—they actively pave the path for others to succeed.

Turn Meetings into Movements

Let’s be real: Meetings are often where momentum goes to die.

If a meeting doesn’t result in clear decisions or actionable next steps, it’s just a time-sink. Leadership is about transforming meetings from rituals into accelerators.

Here’s a hard truth: If your meeting could have been replaced with an email, you’re probably holding your team back. I remember one particularly bloated weekly meeting where we’d spend an hour recapping updates that could’ve been shared in 10 minutes. Once we replaced it with quick, actionable standups, productivity skyrocketed.

Try This:

1. Keep meetings short, focused, and limited to decision-makers.
2. End every meeting with three things: a decision, a deadline, and a responsible owner.
3. Cancel meetings that don’t add value.

A productive meeting doesn’t just inform—it ignites.

Decisiveness: The Fuel for Momentum

Indecision is the silent killer of progress.

Every delay, second-guess, and approval request creates friction—and friction slows everything down. The best leaders understand that momentum matters more than perfection.

When I first started implementing proactive leadership, I realized the power of setting clear boundaries. Instead of approving every little detail, I defined decision-making zones for my team. They knew where they could act without my input, and I could focus on the big picture.

Practical Steps:

• Define clear decision-making zones for your team.
• Foster a “fail fast” culture—mistakes are part of progress.
• Model decisiveness in your own actions.

Proactivity isn’t about getting everything right; it’s about keeping the wheels moving.

Trust: Your Leadership Superpower

Holding the leash isn’t leadership—it’s fear dressed as control.

When you trust your team, you’re not just delegating—you’re empowering. Trust allows people to take ownership of their work, innovate without fear, and tackle challenges head-on.

Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team emphasizes this truth: Without trust, teams falter. And trust isn’t something you announce—it’s something you earn through consistency and communication.

Trust frees your team to bring their best to the table. And in return, you’ll see momentum, morale, and innovation like never before.

Final Thought: Leadership Is Letting Go

True leadership isn’t about being everywhere or involved in everything. It’s about setting the vision, clearing obstacles, and giving your team the space to act.

This week, take stock of your processes:

• What approvals are unnecessary?
• Which meetings are slowing things down?
• How can you empower your team to lead?

When you trust your team to run, you’ll see them accomplish more than you ever imagined.

Are you ready to let go and lead with trust? DM me or Book a Call today to discuss how to build unstoppable momentum in your team. Let’s create a leadership culture that empowers, not micromanages.

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About John Bailey

I am an entrepreneur, executive, father, and coach with 15+ years in product development, marketing, and leadership. As the founder of The Mindset Genesis, I help top executives and entrepreneurs unlock their potential through mindset coaching, emotional intelligence, and actionable strategies.

Known for my bold, non-traditional approach, I challenge leaders to break through barriers and excel at the highest levels. Writing and sharing these insights is my passion—follow me for more on leading with purpose.

Disclaimers(s): The insights shared in this article are based on personal experiences and research in leadership, psychology, and physical resilience training. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Readers should seek appropriate guidance before undertaking any new physical or mental challenges. Individual results may vary. The book recommendation above contains an affiliate link, meaning I might earn a small commission at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.