Leaders are responsible for ensuring their mission is accomplished. The buck stops with them and they cannot blame others for missing the mark. But this doesn’t mean we must micromanage others. We must give them the space to learn and grow so they can mature and eventually stand on their own two feet as well.
Perhaps this is easiest to see in parenting, as we would risk exasperating our kids if we hovered over their every decision. Of course, we make decisions for them as infants, but they gain increasing autonomy as they grow. And we effectively castrate them when we don’t give them sufficient freedom. This freedom is risky and they will likely make many mistakes along the way. But it’s in wrestling through these mistakes that they gain the experience and wisdom needed to flourish on their own.
The same is true when it comes to our marriage or employees. For instance, while we might see areas of improvement in our wife, we must give her the respect to figure some things out for herself. This doesn’t mean we turn a blind eye or otherwise abandon her in her time of need. But it is giving her the space to do things in her own way. And we should treat our employees with this same respect.
To be sure, leadership often requires hard and unpopular decisions. And we’re not being effective in our leadership when just anything goes. But we’re also not leading when we rob others of their freedom. While they might eventually learn to comply, they’re not growing into the fullness of who God has called them to be. In fact, we make them forever dependent on us rather than learning how to do things on their own. And it’s our pride and fear of losing control that would keep others in such a position.
In the end, humble your pride and allow others the space needed to learn and grow. Respecting the freedom of others is the mark of a good leader.
Photo by Carlos Urrutia on Unsplash
