Lead with Trust not Control
Why micromanaging hurts productivity and how trusting your team's expertise leads to better results, saved time, and stronger performance.
Hey everyone,
We've all done it.
Hired great people…
Then told them exactly how to do the job we hired them for.
It's never intentional. It's a habit.
We assume "leading" means controlling every decision.
But in reality, Leadership isn't about control.
It's about trust.
A builder we recently worked with is a perfect example of this.
They hired us for our expertise in streamlining project timelines. However, when we suggested a new siding installation sequence, they resisted. Wanting to stick to the way they'd always done it.
But after a bit of convincing, they agreed to try our recommended approach.
As a result they:
- Finished ahead of schedule.
- Saved significantly on labor costs.
- Shaved multiple days off their timeline.
But here's the deeper question: Why does this happen?
Simply put, it's rooted in our psychology. Specifically, our need for control and our fear of the unknown. Micromanaging feels safe. We think, "If I control every detail, I can prevent mistakes". But the reality is. Constant control creates more stress, slows everyone down, and actually hurts overall productivity.
Here's the truth:
- If you hire someone for their expertise, let them use it.
- If you want better results, stop second-guessing every move.
- The best teams thrive when they feel trusted, not micromanaged.
No fancy stats this month.
Just common sense, psychology, and real-world experience.
Trust the people you hire and watch what happens.