Lead Through the Mess and Embrace the Cleanup

Taking risks and letting people learn through controlled mistakes is non-negotiable. It’s how they grow.

Here’s the direct truth: your team’s success or failure is on you. It’s your job to get your people up to speed, train them relentlessly, and give them the guidance they need to kick ass. This means you have to let them take risks and make mistakes. And when they do mess up, it’s your responsibility to step in, clean up the mess, and set things right. If you're not ready to do that take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why you're doing this job.

Think of this as your core duty. When you coach someone, you’re staking your reputation on their potential. You’re saying that you believe in them enough to let them try, even if they might fail. And fail they will. When that happens, you’d better be ready to dive in, handle the fallout, and teach them how to come back stronger.

Hesitating to give your team more autonomy because you fear the mess? Get over it. Controlled mistakes are the breeding ground for growth. Your readiness to handle the cleanup shows your commitment to their development. It builds trust and proves to your team that they have a safety net, which encourages them to take risks and push their limits.

Empowering your team doesn’t mean stepping back and crossing your fingers. It means being prepared to jump in and solve problems when necessary. Balance giving your team room to grow with being hands-on enough to steer them back on course when things go sideways.

As a leader, your job doesn’t stop with just fixing problems. You need to build an environment where your team feels like they can take initiative without fear of repercussions. Engage with your team, understand the root causes of the issues, and provide the necessary support and guidance. Your job is to make sure there’s no doubt about your team’s performance. This means constant involvement, continuous encouragement, and relentless commitment to their growth.

Empowering others means being ready to support them through their failures and helping them rise stronger. Are you ready to take on the challenge?