One of the most difficult things to do in leadership is to watch something grow, and then to let it go.
If you’ve been in a leadership role for very long, you have had the opportunity to oversee something. Maybe a project, or a program, or even a person. You pour time, resources, and emotions into making your something the best it can be.
But, inevitably, if you’re going to grow as a leader, there comes a point where you have to step back and let it go.
Letting it go could mean inviting someone else to play a key and critical role, thus begging the question, “Will they do it as good as me”?
Letting it go could mean launch day, thus begging the question, “Did I cover my bases”?
Letting it go could mean releasing a leader (or student leader) to oversee a project or program, thus begging the question, “Did I train them well enough”?
All of these things are painful. But that does not mean they’re not the right move. Simply put, if we never let go, we will never grow.
If we want our own leadership to grow, we have to let go.
If we want the people around us to grow, we have to let go.
No one has learned to sustain themselves by being spoon fed all along the way.
What are you holding onto today? What can you let go? Who can you invite to step up as you let go?
Our leadership influence grows as those around us grow. Push through the pain today. Trust me, it’s worth it.