The heart of delegation

Delegation is one of those things that comes up frequently for leaders.

How much do you step in?
And how much do you let go?

You don’t want to micromanage.
And you don’t want to lose control entirely.


Lately, I’ve been reminded that leadership isn’t the only place where this tension shows up.

My high school senior brings this lesson home regularly.

Recently, she asked to visit a friend in another state.
It feels like the perfect opportunity for her to navigate public transportation on her own.

And yet, I have that familiar pang:
Have I done enough?

So we’ll have the conversation again.

And talk about planning ahead, problem-solving, and what to do if something doesn’t go as expected.

(Let’s be honest, this is probably more for me than for her.)

In just a few months, she’s heading off to college in another state—navigating planes, trains, and ride-shares without her parents.

The heart of delegation is not about handing off tasks and hoping for the best.

It’s about:
✅ Equipping people with the skills and knowledge they need.
✅ Creating space for them to take ownership.
✅ Trusting them to figure things out and knowing they will.

Good delegation isn’t just about getting things done.

It’s about helping your team members grow in the process.