Principle #17 – Decisions go where they belong.
Ever sat in a meeting thinking, “Why am I even deciding this?” If you’re honest, you probably have. Leaders often hoard decisions like Halloween candy, believing it’s “safer” if they approve everything. Spoiler: it’s not. It slows things down, burns you out, and disempowers the very people you hired to do great work.
Here’s the truth: Decisions belong with the people who are accountable for the outcome—the ones with the most skin in the game. If frontline staff serve customers daily, why would the CEO dictate every detail of service standards? That’s like asking someone who never cooks to write your restaurant’s recipes.
The Hero’s Move
Trust your people. Push decisions down and out to those closest to the action:
- Match decisions to accountability: Whoever takes the consequences should make the call.
- Involve stakeholders early: They know things you don’t (and that you need to know).
- Give guardrails, not handcuffs: Define the “what” and “why,” then let them own the “how.”
This isn’t chaos; it’s clarity. When decisions go where they belong, ownership skyrockets, speed improves, and morale lifts like a double-shot espresso.
The Next Step
Take one decision you’re currently babysitting and hand it to someone closer to the outcome. Give them context, guardrails, and trust. Then watch your calendar—and your stress—lighten up.Because the fastest way to build both speed and trust is to stop hoarding decisions that aren’t yours to make.