4 Q's - Growing Autonomy

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Quintessential Thought

Leaders sometimes hesitate to grant more autonomy because they worry that their team members aren’t capable of making those decisions. Certainly, it would be foolish and unkind to expect them to be able to do something they’re not able to.

Rather than viewing this as a barrier to autonomy, leaders can see it as an opportunity to foster the growth of their team members' knowledge and abilities, enabling them to make effective decisions down the road.

Consider starting by openly explaining the reasoning behind your decisions today, gradually involving your team more in the decision-making process. Provide clear guidelines for decision-making and establish a transparent system for them to seek your input, support, and feedback.

Remember that teaching others how to make effective decisions in specific situations is an ongoing process. Patience and persistence will be your allies in nurturing autonomy over time.

Quotes

“If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.” – John C. Maxwell

“The first rule of management is delegation. Don’t try and do everything yourself because you can’t.” – Anthea Turner

“When you delegate tasks, you create followers. When you delegate authority, you create leaders.” – Craig Groeschel

Quick Step

Pick one decision you currently make for the team. Explain to them why you make the decision you did and give them an open invitation to ask questions to understand your inputs and decision-making process.

Question

What challenge would you be able to focus on if you could delegate more of your current decisions to your team?

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