Delegated Leadership Boosts Team Engagement

A Powerful Approach to Leadership

Leadership, as a concept, is widely talked about, demonstrated, and acted upon. However, we have found a particularly fascinating and powerful approach that isn't as mainstream: Delegated Leadership.

The Engagement Problem

In the corporate world, teams are often large, forming a hierarchy that stretches from CEOs down to executives and those at the operational front. A common issue many are facing is a lack of engagement, where subordinates might question the purpose of their tasks or simply pass responsibilities along, resulting in stalled projects.

What is Delegated Leadership?

This is precisely where Delegated Leadership becomes essential. It involves delegating micro-leadership roles to subordinates. They, in turn, repeat this process with their specific tasks. This creates a chain from the highest level down to the end-mover, who gains a sense of pride from delivering a solution, even if they were previously detached from the client's problem.

Historical Precedent

This technique is not new; it has been used extensively in history, particularly on the battlefield. Generals in every major conflict often acknowledge that "Wars are won by the soldiers, not generals." This same mindset can be effectively applied to the corporate environment.

Implementation Strategy

It is important to remember that implementing Delegated Leadership is a long-term practice, not an overnight change. We should continue practising with small steps and gradually scale the practice across the organisation.