Releasing, the antonym of Controlling

Thu April 16

Experience has proven Brent's rogerism, "let the sheep onto the field and they poop all over it". Unfortunately, making a mess of things is part of the learning process. If developing leaders are never given a chance to learn how to "clean up" when they make a mess, they never will. They'll be stuck at square one; they'll never get to the point where you don't fear giving them control. The antidote? Slow down and teach, then get out of the way. Show them what needs to be done and how to do it, then step back. Let them do it themselves and be there to support them. If you don't risk the result of releasing control, you may never have a mess on your hands, but you're capping yourself, and them. Remember, someone took a risk with you when you were learning.

Tags: p4square