Leaders lead and not drag people along or force them to follow. One of the challenges leaders face is the ability to trust that "everything will be okay" in terms of getting the job done through their team. I once learned from one of my first bosses in the corporate job that even though you have perfected a way of executing a certain task, there comes a time when you'll need to pass it on to your team. When you do so, the worst thing you want to do is not give them room to learn or space to fly.

You may not like the end result of the task in the beginning, because your team or direct report has not done it EXACTLY the way you would have done it, but as you allow space for them to fly the job will eventually get done to your satisfaction, and perhaps beyond what you imagined. 

"Think of the little children in the backyard", says another leader said. "As long as the kids are in the backyard playing and acting like kids, there is no need to waste energy and time shouting and warning them. Your initial warning should do; once one of them tries to go over the fence, that's when you take action and pull them back inside."

Trust goes a long way. It's a decision not only based on one's historical background on a certain past experience extrapolated to a current measurable situation, but also a decision knowing that you are putting yourself at risk by being in a vulnerable position in return to reaping a harvest of innovative solutions.

If you sow trust I your team, you’ll get commitment in return. You’ll get the job done through the team, and that will allow you to stay on the edge and innovate. It’s a corporate thing not an individual one.

- Aa

Published by Wenze Team
- Courtesy of Alkatek, Inc. A Technology Consulting firm based in Southern California. This article was first published on Wenze.com as a way of helping African Entrepreneurs think different about the economic trends related to Africa and its Diasporas. Learn more about Corporate Africa


About Alkatek, Inc. 

Alkatek, Inc. provides office technologies and services that help companies gain efficiencies and capitalize on opportunities. Our entire organization is focused on the application of practical, innovative business solutions. We tailor solutions to meet our customers' need allowing them to remain focused on what they do best.