If you want something done, you must do it yourself… is so 2000s

I went from being a stressed leader to a calm leader by working out that I couldn’t do everything myself. And that I didn’t have to. My team is capable, and courageous. They can do things that I can’t and shouldn’t be doing. And they do them well. ?

Let me share with you how I learnt to trust my team... so you don’t have to keep stressing out about your workload.??

Short term time for long term dime??

Most leaders would be ready for me to write ‘short term pain, long term gain’. But I just don’t think that putting time into your team and coaching them is pain. It might be inconvenient for you at the time, but it is certainly not pain. And the dime bit refers to the return on investment that you get for the investment of your time into your team’s skill set. Take a coaching approach to your team’s work. Most leaders will tell me they are time poor. And then take on more work, instead of delegating.?

Action: Understand that coaching your team to be able to do a task every time from now on is an investment and one that will get you a great return. It WILL reduce the pressure on you, and on them.?

You will build your credibility and trust in you?

Trust is a beautiful thing. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more trust you give, the more you get. Being trustful is good for your credibility, as your team sees you having faith in their skills and abilities. And it is an integrity thing. When you say you will trust your team, and then follow through on that, winning. Say it, then do it. Integrity and credibility are two halves of the same apple. And trust is the core that holds them together. And the core that holds your team together! Two-way trust.?

Action:?Step into being a trusting and trusted leader. Make the call to allow your team to shine or learn. Be of high integrity, and in doing so you will reduce the pression on you, and on them.?

It annoys your team when you do their work for them?

Seriously! We can tend to think as leaders that we are helping (or at least that's how some leaders justify dealing with stress and pressure). ‘I’ll help’. This is like having your two-year-old helping you take the rubbish out. It feels good in the moment but doesn’t really add much value. In fact, it does more harm than good. And sure, you might be quicker, or better, at that task, but think about your team members for a moment... what does your behaviour say to them. I’d spell it out, though I think it might be self-explanatory on this one.?

Action: Understand that doing your team’s work is not cool, or quicker, it is disheartening for them. Support your team if they need it. Reduce the pressure on you, and on them.?

And yes, it does take conscious control to delegate tasks in the right places and move past the old thinking of doing it yourself. There are so many better ways to lead in 2022! And your team want to contribute. That is their greatest need on planet earth!?

The first step in trusting your team is to build rapport

It's easier to trust someone when you have a positive relationship with them.

In our Building Rapport, a 4-week online program, you will learn how to build rapport, find common ground and how to understand your team members.

Click the image to learn more.

About Anton?

Leaders struggle with their mental health, too... Often finding it difficult to lead under pressure.?

Anton is an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, bestselling author and founder of The Guinea Group. Over the past 15 years, with over 150+ global organisations, he has inspired workplace leadership, safety and cultural change. He’s achieved this by combining his corporate expertise, education (Bachelor of Psychology), and infectious energy.?

Get in touch with Anton today.?