Neiman was frustrated because he wasn’t progressing the priorities he set. He was starting the day with a strong intention, and then the events of the day were taking over.

‘What events?’ I asked.

Reviewing the last week, he admitted that he was taking on stuff that really belonged to someone else, mostly because they seemed unable to handle things.

How many times have you found yourself taking on someone else’s workload? And in those moments, as you carry the burden of tasks that weren’t yours to bear, have you ever wondered, could this be the barrier standing between you and your leadership’s full potential?

People rush up to you with things like:

• ‘The client isn’t happy with the approach we took. What do you think I should do?’
• ‘I can’t influence this key stakeholder. How do you want me to handle it?’
• I’m stuck because (insert problem here). What action do you want me to take?

You know these questions, right? No doubt you can add more of your own. They launch into the problem and expect you to solve it… And you do…

Sometimes without even realising it, you have:

• Taken on someone else’s work (usually from one of your direct reports – not good for your workload)
• Provided an answer that relieved someone else from thinking and contributed to a sense of disempowerment.Doh!

Put the work back where it belongs and empower your people, while also contributing to their growth and development with these three questions:

1. What have you tried so far?
2. What do you think I am going to tell you to do?
3. What would you do next if I wasn’t available right now? 

What will you do with the time you free up? 

I would love to hear your strategies to keep the work where it belongs, and what happens when you try out these questions.

Go Fearlessly – Corrinne