A sign of a mediocre leader or manager is an unwillingness to let go of responsibilities and trust that others will get the job done as well as or better than they can. These individuals feel it is what they know and control that makes them important and irreplaceable. The truth, however, is quite the opposite. What makes you invaluable as a manager or leader is your ability to identify, inspire and cultivate the talent around you. Instead of fostering dependency on you, the goal is to create a sense of interdependency throughout your team.
Things happen in life. People leave to take other jobs, get promoted, have health issues, or struggle with other non-work responsibilities. Dependence upon any one employee (including you) makes the organization vulnerable. And, a major part of a leader’s job is to manage risk and protect against business vulnerabilities. Effective leaders and managers are always on the lookout for growth opportunities for their staff. They also appreciate the importance of cross-training key employees in the critical functions of the business. It may sound counter-intuitive, but your job is to make your operation redundant from an individual performance perspective.
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