Why Mick was the best boss I ever had

The best boss I ever had was called Mick.

He was tough and direct. Everyone knew exactly where they stood with him.

One of the things Mick was brilliant at was empowering his people. He made me feel certain I could manage projects and deliver programmes of work I’d never done before.

How did he do it?

He was crystal clear on what needed to be delivered and by when. Then he fully handed over the how.

That, for me, is the simple secret of empowerment. Be clear on the what and the when. Let go of the how.

So many leaders I meet struggle with this. At worst, they follow the opposite formula. Vague on the what, unclear on the when, and heavily directive on exactly how they want it done.

Think about what that creates. A culture of reliance and an absence of trust. People stop thinking for themselves and wait to be told, because it’s easier than getting it wrong.

Here’s a quick test for the next thing you delegate. Have you said exactly what good looks like and when it’s due? Have you said anything at all about how? If the answer to that second question is yes, stop talking and let them work it out.

If you recognise yourself as heavy-handed on the how, flip it. Be more Mick.

One final thing. There’s a characteristic that research consistently ranks as number one in exemplary leaders, the one that makes people follow with energy, commitment and enthusiasm. Mick had it in spades. If you don’t know what it is, drop me a line, and I’ll share it, along with the research behind it.