ARE YOU LETTING YOUR TEAM OFF THE HOOK?

Imagine it.

It′s 7.30pm.

It′s silent in the office. The cleaner says "Goodnight."

Everyone has gone home, or are offline, or having a beer with their mates in the Summer sun.

Except you.?

You are working hard, but not actually on your own priorities.

Instead you are doing the work of your team because you couldn′t resist taking it on.

You wanted to be helpful and support your team. Admirable.

There are times when it′s good to step in as a leader and step in to pick up a direct report′s work. There are times when it is needed.

For example, where someone is really pressured for time, or there′s a critical or high stakes activity to complete with a pressing deadline, or because someone is genuinely struggling.?

But at other times it isn′t the best thing to do.?

Some leaders have a natural tendency and desire to step in, to help and make things less difficult for their team.?

It′s right that leaders should make life easier for their team. But in the long run letting a direct report off the hook too many times from pushing through on a task will make your life harder in the long run - and theirs.

Instead, if there are regular requests to pick up their work here 5 questions to think about before saying yes:

1)????Is this a genuine plea or request because the person is stuck, or have they done some thinking themselves and offered ideas?

2)????Are they defining the wrong problem?

3)????Is there a problem with prioritising the wrong things or does the team know how to prioritise?

4)????Is there a capability and skills gap that needs to be addressed that will help them, you and the wider team?

5)????What′s the long-term cost of stepping in too much (e.g. less growth, less resilience, the team not learning coping with pressure)?

That's it for this week.

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?About me

I’m a public affairs consultant and also a coach focusing on leadership, career and personal development.?I've worked for over 20 years executing political strategy and my expertise includes advising chief executives and senior directors on political engagement, designing and executing business-critical political communications and campaigns. As a coach I’ve helped many clients achieve breakthroughs in finding work they love and make breakthroughs in their personal life.