Are You Leading or Just Managing? The One Question That Changes Everything

How to Shift from Oversight to True Leadership

Early in my career, I thought leadership was about making sure everything ran smoothly. I kept projects on track, solved problems quickly, and made sure my team had what they needed. I thought I was leading—but I was really just managing.

Then, I asked myself a simple but game-changing question:

"If I stepped away today, would my team still thrive?"

The answer? No. My leadership wasn’t making my team stronger—it was making them dependent. That’s when I realized that real leadership isn’t about keeping things under control. It’s about setting people up to succeed without you.

The Difference Between Managing and Leading

📌 Managers focus on tasks. Leaders focus on people.
📌 Managers solve problems. Leaders teach others how to solve them.
📌 Managers drive execution. Leaders create vision and let their team take the lead.

How to Make the Shift to Leadership

✔ Stop Being the First Responder – If you solve every issue, your team won’t develop their own problem-solving skills. Let them figure it out.

✔ Delegate Ownership, Not Just Tasks – Give team members responsibility for results, not just assignments. Let them lead projects from start to finish.

✔ Encourage Independent Thinking – Before answering a question, ask: What do you think? This forces people to think critically instead of relying on you.

Try This Today: The 48-Hour Challenge

For the next two days, step back. Let your team handle decisions, solve problems, and take the lead. You’ll be surprised at how much they can accomplish—without you stepping in.

Lead Forward, Build Stronger Teams

If you’re constantly managing every detail, you’re not giving your team room to grow. When you start leading, everything changes. If you’re ready to make the shift, Lead Forward! will show you how to create a high-performing team that thrives—whether you’re in the room or not.