Have you ever worked for a micromanager?  Annoying isn’t it!!!  In my opinion, there is nothing worse than someone constantly checking over your shoulder to make sure you are getting something done.  I hated when people did that to me, and I don’t do it to my employee’s.  So now you’re thinking… “Tim, how do you know when they are getting work done?”  Well, actually most of my employees live out of state which means that for me to know they are getting the work done; they have to PROVE it to me on a weekly basis!  It’s really a win-win situation.  They get to work at home, and I get responsible, self-motivated employees.  

I was recently reading out of this book called “A Leaders Legacy” by Kouzes & Posner and chapter 10 was actually all about this subject of giving the responsibility back to the employee.  Samta Bansal says “What worked best for me was the freedom and power I gave to my team; the trust and confidence I showed in them.  It increased their commitment level to the project.”  Kind of counterintuitive isn’t it?  She goes on later to say “The concept of giving away power was NOT in my comfort zone.  But what I learned doing it was a great humbling experience.  Once I consciously started to create a climate of trust and started GIVING independence to my team, the sense of responsibility and accountability increased.  People started to own the tasks instead of considering it a team liability.”

Heck, I think she just hit the nail on the head.  I’ve seen this happen numerous times with all of my employees (heck, my kids too!).  Giving away power is out of ALL our comfort zones!  I mean, do we let just anyone drive our cars?  Or watch our kids?  No.  But, empowering others is the BEST thing we can do for them.  Give them the responsibility, and then recognize them for their efforts.  Everyone from the grocery clerk to the ‘big-wig’ president of a company wants to be recognized for the good they do.  Don’t ever underestimate edification.

Take the leap of faith and let go! The only person you can control is yourself.

All the best!

 
Tim Schmidt