From Micro Manager to Empowering Others
Leading at greater scale means creating space for others to succeed.
Currently, I am coaching a senior executive who is transitioning into a new role with significantly greater organizational scope and responsibility.
He recently discovered: What made him successful leading one division isn't necessarily going to make him successful leading across an entire organization.
Micromanagement doesn't disappear when someone reaches the executive level. In fact, as responsibilities grow, letting go of control can become even harder.
That realization was a significant leadership breakthrough.
Through our coaching, he recognized his tendency to micromanage. So, he tried something different.
He brought his leaders together, acknowledged their individual strengths and expertise, and asked for their help.
Something he admitted was incredibly uncomfortable.
Then, he stepped back and gave them room to lead.
The outcomes?
Greater ownership and independent decision-making.
Increased collaboration and communication among his leaders.
Improved operational progress and productivity.
Greater confidence in his team's capabilities.
Less pressure to carry everything on his own.
Importantly, he took time to personally recognize and reinforce his team's accomplishments.
During our session, I asked: "What does this tell you about your leadership?"
That question opened another important discovery.
The strengths, skills and experiences that contributed to his past success weren't wrong. But some behaviors needed to evolve to meet the demands of his new role.
This is a significant part of my executive coaching work: helping successful leaders navigate transitions, challenge long-established behaviors and learn to lead at greater scale through others.
Even highly experienced executives have room to grow.
And sometimes, the biggest leadership breakthroughs begin with three simple words:
"I need help."
What leadership behaviors have you had to rethink as your responsibilities grew?
