As the organization grows, a leader’s role begins to change.
I have a friend who leads a growing organization. The speed of the growth could easily rouse my friend’s controlling nature, but he’s a good enough leader to recognize his weakness in this area. He knows that in order for the organization to continue to grow, he must resist the tendency to direct every decision.
How does a potential controlling leader handle a situation like this?
In my friends case, he is adding a disciplined approach to change. Last year he estimated that he made 90% of all final decisions. Through staffing changes and shifting of responsibilities, my friend set a goal to lower that percent to 40% this year and 10% next year. While that sounds aggressive even to a lover of change like me, my friend is confident this change is needed.
I was impressed with the discipline of this leader, wondering could I be as disciplined.
What do you think?
Could you discipline yourself to make such a drastic organizational change?
Do you struggle with a control issue in your leadership?
I think this is easiest when we're surrounded with a strong team within whom we have a great level of trust and respect! Very freeing to be able to trust and be open to the possibilities that the diversity and gift of self that others bring to us.
Totally agreed.
Yup! It's always tempting to become a controlling leader. To discipline ourself in making a change, we need to be intentional and conscious in bringing about the desired change.
Always tempting for me too.
I honestly think that would be a very hard thing to do. I find myself wanting to be in control of almost all of my daily duties/chores.
If I were to run a company, yikes, I hope I would have the wisdom to maneuver these types of issues!
I agree.