Are you ready to let go?

Archie takes his job as a terrier very seriously.

He's protecting us from rabbits, delivery drivers, and those very dangerous babies in strollers.

He will not be relieved of his duties.

Even when I tell him it's fine.
Even when there's no actual threat.

He's convinced he's the only one who can handle it.

I used to do this too when I was in leadership.

I held onto decisions that my team was ready to make.
I protected information that should have been shared.
I stayed involved in work that no longer needed my oversight.

Not because my team wasn't capable.
But because letting go felt risky.

What if they do it differently than I would?
What if something goes wrong?
What if I was not needed anymore?

Here's the thing:
The work you're protecting so carefully might be exactly what your team needs to do in order to grow.

And the energy you're spending guarding it is energy you could be using to lead at the level you're actually needed.

So ask yourself:
What am I still protecting that my team is ready to own?

Not because you're doing it wrong.
But because holding on might be holding your team back.