As we step into a new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on how we approach leveraging our time . One lesson I keep coming back to is this: when delegating, focus on the goal, not the how.
Take loading the dishwasher, for example. I have my way of doing it—plates arranged by size, large utensils fill in the space between the cups on the upper shelf—but my family doesn’t always follow my method.
At first, I’m tempted to jump in and rearrange everything. Then I remind myself: the goal isn’t to load the dishwasher my way; it’s to get the dishes clean.
Leadership is the same.
Great leaders trust their teams to find their own paths to success. The focus is on the what—achieving the goal—not the how. When we micromanage, we risk stifling creativity, motivation, and growth.
This new year, I challenge myself (and you!) to practice letting go of the “how” and empowering others to succeed in their own way.