How to Empower IT Leadership Teams

One of the hardest balances to master as a leader is staying informed about your team’s work without crossing the line into micromanaging them. You want to support them, remove roadblocks, and guide outcomes without making them feel like you’re hovering. Here’s a framework I’ve found effective for maintaining that balance: 1. Set the Tone Early Make it clear that your intent is to support, not control. For example: “We’ll need regular updates to discuss progress and so I can effectively champion this work in other forums. My goal is to ensure you have what you need, to help where it’s most valuable, and help others see the value you’re delivering.” 2. Create a Cadence of Check-Ins Establish structured moments for updates to avoid constant interruptions. Weekly or biweekly check-ins with a clear agenda help: • Progress: What’s done? • Challenges: What’s blocking progress? • Next Steps: What’s coming up? This predictability builds trust while keeping everyone aligned. 3. Ask High-Leverage Questions Stay focused on outcomes by asking strategic questions like: • “What’s the biggest risk right now?” • “What decisions need my input?” • “What’s working that we can replicate?” This approach keeps the conversation productive and empowering. 4. Define Metrics and Milestones Collaborate with your team to define success metrics and use shared dashboards to track progress. This allows you to stay updated without manual reporting or extra meetings. 5. Empower Ownership Show your trust by encouraging problem-solving: “If you run into an issue, let me know your proposed solutions, and we’ll work through it together.” When the team owns their work, they’ll take greater pride in the results. 6. Leverage Technology Use tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello to centralize updates. Shared project platforms give you visibility while letting your team focus on execution. 7. Solicit Feedback Ask your team: “Am I giving you enough space, or would you prefer more or less input from me?” This not only fosters trust but also helps you refine your approach as a leader. Final Thought: Growing up playing sports, none of my coaches ever suited up and got in the game with the players on the field. As a leader, you should follow the same discipline. How do you stay informed without micromanaging? What would you add? #leadership #peoplemanagement #projectmanagement #leadershipdevelopment

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁? 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁! If every decision—big or small—has to go through you, there’s a problem. It means your team doesn’t have the trust or the authority to make things happen on their own. And when that happens? You become the bottleneck. Growth slows. Your team waits instead of leads. Here’s the fix: Delegate decisions based on trust, not control. 1. Set Clear Decision-Making Boundaries Define which decisions your team can make without you and where they need your input. ► Pro Tips: Use a Decision Matrix – Categorize decisions into what’s team-owned, what’s collaborative, and what requires leadership approval. Encourage Risk-Appropriate Autonomy – Not every decision needs sign-off; start by delegating low-risk ones and build from there. 2. Align on Expectations Give your team the tools, training, and vision so they can make informed choices. ► Pro Tips: Clarify the "Why" Behind Decisions – When your team understands the bigger picture, they’ll make decisions that align with your goals. Coach, Don’t Just Correct – When mistakes happen, use them as learning moments instead of taking control back. 3. Empower Through Accountability Trust them to own their work, but hold them accountable for results. ► Pro Tips: Shift from "Did You Do It?" to "What’s Your Plan?" – Ask forward-focused questions that reinforce ownership. Recognize Great Decisions Publicly – Reinforce confidence by highlighting smart choices and the impact they’ve made. When you stop approving everything, your team steps up, and you gain back time for bigger, more strategic leadership moves. 💡 What’s one decision you could delegate today? Drop it in the comments! #leadership #empowerment #mindset #inspiration #dolandwhite

The greatest measure of leadership isn’t found in what you achieve — it’s in how well others succeed when you’re not there. When you invest in others, you create a ripple effect of growth, ownership, and lasting impact. So, how do you become the kind of leader who makes others better? 1. Identify Potential, Not Just Performance Performance shows where someone is today. Potential shows where they could go tomorrow. Look for curiosity, coachability, and character — then invest in developing those qualities. 2. Coach for Growth, Not Just Execution Coaching isn’t about telling people what to do. It’s about helping them think, problem-solve, and grow. Ask questions like: “What do you think?” or “What would you do differently next time?” to help your team build confidence and competence. 3. Build a Legacy of Leaders, Not Followers Leadership isn’t about being the hero — it’s about being the guide. Equip your team with the tools, mindset, and opportunities to lead. Because the true test of leadership success is when the team says, “We did it ourselves.” When you shift from doing to developing, you don’t just build better teams — you build a stronger legacy. Leadership isn’t measured by what you accomplish — but by who you empower. What’s one thing you can do today to invest in someone’s growth? #Leadership #Coaching #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamSuccess

🌱💼 Are you empowering your team to develop and grow? 💼🌱 Studies suggest that sometimes a leader’s perfectionism or ‘only I can do it’ mentality hinders team cohesion and high performance. To foster team development and support, it is crucial for managers, and project leads to cultivate a team culture with a growth mindset. In the Harvard Business Review article "To Help Your Team Grow, Give Them Space to Struggle," we learn key strategies to empower your team's growth. 👉 Shift from a doer to a leader mindset: As a manager or team lead, you need to transition your mindset from personal achievement to developing your team's potential. Ask yourself: How can I support and nurture my team's growth? 👉 Embrace the discomfort of the learning process: True growth happens when individuals can face challenges and learn from them. By reframing struggles as opportunities for growth, you can create an environment that supports and encourages continuous development. 👉 Distinguish between high- and low-stakes tasks: Delegate low-stakes tasks that provide valuable development opportunities for your team without risking significant consequences. Reframe failure and establish a safe and supportive environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. 👉 Be curious: Cultivate a curious mindset and ask insightful questions that encourage team members to reflect on their approaches and experiences. Practice compassion and grace, offering support and understanding as they navigate their paths to success. As managers and team leaders, we must provide the coaching, guidance, and support necessary for our teams to thrive and reach their full potential. Let's foster a culture of continuous learning, growth, and empowerment within our teams! 🌱✨ Harvard Business Review article by Kelli Thompson #leadership #management #entrepreneurship #founders #highperformance #culture #professionaldevelopment #growthmindset #collaboration  #advising #coaching #bestadvice #jennyfernandez https://lnkd.in/e4vKX5sn

Here's a thought: Leadership is less about control and more about empowerment. In my experience, empowering others is the key to effective leadership. Here's how you can empower your team: 1. Delegate with Trust: Give your team autonomy. This boosts confidence and fosters innovation. 2. Encourage Feedback: Create a culture where feedback is valued. This leads to continuous improvement. 3. Invest in Development: Share resources like "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Small changes can lead to significant growth. 4. Lead with Empathy: Understand your team's needs. Empathy strengthens relationships and enhances collaboration. 5. Celebrate Successes: Recognize achievements, big and small. This motivates and inspires your team. Leadership is about lifting others up. Which book has helped you empower your team? I'd love to hear your recommendations!