Part and parcel of any executive's role is delegating responsibly. To achieve desired business objectives, we can't do everything ourselves, so we necessarily delegate various tasks ... and therein lies a problem: how do we maintain control over required outcomes, without micromanaging every detail?
To some extent well defined and documented systems and procedures provide effective guidelines and frameworks, but no system can ensure individual initiative and creativity.
Effective leaders and managers need to mentor and coach their teams.
The art and science of delegating, mentoring and coaching involves melding firm commitment to outcomes, while "letting go" the moment by moment decisions of those who have been delegated responsiblity for specific objectives.
This "letting go" and trusting others is a paradoxical process that is at the heart of outstanding leadership, scientific genius or artistic greatness.
The Belief Institute coaches and trains senior executives and associated staff in this process – a process that cannot be entirely reduced to what we think or know. It involves engaging trust, and gut feelings - it's a felt sense, a relaxed but solid confidence of helping to direct and "congeal" desired outcomes, without moment-by-moment input.
Paradoxically, by letting go direct control of the minutia, more control over project outcomes is achieved. And along the way, those involved become highly motivated and productive, as the "letting go" encourages each to stretch and achieve, tapping potential and latent abilities.
Our programs are tailored for individual executives, and their teams.
- 1. Charles Handy, The Age of Unreason, Arrow Books Ltd, London 1995, page 9.