From a chapter called Mobilization: the Power of Letting Go comes this insightful quote that will certainly challenge some leaders. H. Dale Burke is the author and he is in the middle of making a point that most leaders actually manage more than they lead.
… let me suggest that you follow what I call the 80 percent rule. When someone else, or even a team of “someone elses,” can do the job 80 percent as well as you can do it, let it go, unless it’s your “main thing.” You’ll get most of the gain you need, and over time, they will get better and better. Eventually, they will probably do the job better than you could do! Why? Because it will become their “main thing.” And it’s best for you as a leader to let go and stay focused on your “main thing”–your area of unique giftedness. Letting go is good for everyone. Less is more.
Less is More: Leadership by H. Dale Burke
I’ve never heard of the 80 percent rule, but I know that it works. I also know that it is not easy. What is easy is to say, “I’ll just do it myself because I can do it faster and better anyway.” That is not leading people… it is more like babysitting them. As leaders, we need to remember that our job is to lead people in a passionate pursuit of a vision… empowering and trusting others is critical.
