Why are you doing your team's work?

Why are you doing your team's work?

I asked a leader this recently.

They didn't hesitate.

"Because that's what I was hired to do."

I understand the instinct.

But doing your team's work isn't leadership.

It's individual contribution with a bigger title.

And it sends a message you probably don't intend.

"I don't trust you to do this."

When a leader keeps taking over, it usually points to one of three things:

You haven't hired well.

You inherited a team you don't yet trust.

Something else is going on that needs your attention.

(Pro tip: Sometimes that something is your own struggles with delegating.)

One of the most important jobs of a leader is to grow others.

And you can't grow people if you won't let them do their jobs.