Want Better Teams? Start Letting Go.

I talk to a lot of leaders who say the same thing:
“It’s just easier if I do it myself.”

And honestly? They’re not wrong.
When time is tight and standards are high, the fastest route is usually you. You know exactly what needs to be done. You can do it quicker. Cleaner. Better. So you do.

But if you're always the hero, your team never learns.

Delegation Isn't About Offloading—It's About Uplifting

Delegation gets a bad rap. Some people see it as dumping tasks. Others avoid it entirely out of fear: What if they mess up? What if it reflects on me?

But real delegation is a tool.

• A way to build trust.

• A way to grow leaders.

• A way to create a team that actually feels like a team because they’re invested and developing.

When You Do It All, You Stall It All

Here’s what happens when you don’t delegate:

• The team stays dependent on you.

• They don’t learn to problem-solve.

• You burn out, and they check out.

What looks like “protecting quality” is gatekeeping growth.

Yes, people might not do it exactly like you. They might even fail.

But failing is where learning lives.
Growth doesn’t come from watching you work, it comes from trying things themselves.

The way you do it is just that, it’s the way you do it. It’s not right, it’s not better, it’s just your way.

Delegation = Inclusion = Retention

Think about the last time someone truly empowered you. Gave you space to try, create, lead. You felt energized. Seen. Capable.

That’s how team members feel when you say:
“This one’s yours.”

When people are trusted with real responsibility, they rise. They ask better questions. They see the big picture. They start acting like leaders.

And you know what leaders do?
They stick around. They build culture. They lift others up.

Let Them Try. Let Them Fail. Let Them Fly.

Delegation isn't about perfection. It’s about progress.

Start small:

• Let them lead the next daily huddle.

• Hand off a recurring guest experience task.

• Ask how they’d solve a problem before giving your answer.

Then, stay close. Not to micromanage, but to support. Ask:
What do you need from me to feel successful?

When you lead with trust instead of control, you create a team that moves with you, not behind you.

TL;DR

🧭 Delegation is a leadership skill, not a chore.
👥 It builds inclusion, engagement, and future leaders.
⛔ Holding onto everything limits your team’s growth and yours.
✅ Start small, support often, and let people surprise you.

Great leaders know when to step back so others can step up.