Is Your Team Failing or Have You Failed to Equip Them?

In a previous article, I shared Mark’s story - a leader overwhelmed by operational tasks because his team wasn’t stepping up. Rather than focusing on the strategic direction of the organisation, Mark found himself repeatedly picking up the pieces. This isn’t a rare situation for leaders, but when delegation goes awry, the solution isn’t to jump in and do the work for your team. It’s time to ask yourself two key questions:

1. Is this a matter of accountability?

2. Have I properly equipped my team to succeed?

Accountability: The Foundation of a High-Performing Team

Accountability is essential for any team to function effectively. Without it, tasks may fall by the wayside, and your team’s performance will suffer. As I outline in my book Let Go Leadership, one of the pillars of the SHARE Leadership Method is "H" - Have Accountability.

This means clearly defining ownership of tasks and making sure team members are held responsible for their commitments. If accountability isn’t firmly established, it’s likely that your team will continue to struggle with delivering results.

Empowerment: Setting Your Team Up for Success

Equally important is the "E" in the SHARE method - Empower. Empowering your team means equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed. Delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks; it’s about ensuring that your team is clear on their roles, expectations, and what success looks like.

To truly empower your team, make sure they have:

• Clarity of Roles: Does each person know their purpose within the team?
• Defined Expectations: Are they clear on the outcomes they are responsible for?
• Success Metrics: Do they understand how their performance will be measured and rewarded?
• Support Systems: Are you investing in their growth through career development, on-the-job training, mentoring, or coaching?

When your team understands their role and is equipped with the right resources, they are empowered to take ownership, act with accountability, and deliver at a high level. This enables you, as a leader, to focus on strategy rather than firefighting.

The SHARE Leadership Method

At the heart of effective leadership is the SHARE method, which I developed to help leaders guide their teams toward sustainable success. The five pillars are:

- S: Seek Feedback

- H: Have Accountability

- A: Adapt

- R: Reconnect

- E: Empower

In Mark’s case, like many other leaders, the focus needed to be on accountability and empowerment. Instead of stepping in and doing the work for his team, Mark needed to ensure his people were clear on their responsibilities and equipped to succeed. By fostering a culture of accountability and empowering his team, Mark could transition from operational overload to strategic leadership.

Questions for Leaders

1. Do your team members understand what they are accountable for?
2. Have you empowered them with the tools and resources they need to succeed?
3. Is there a clear system in place for seeking feedback and adapting to challenges?
4. How are you tracking and rewarding performance?

Inclusive leadership is no mean feat! As you challenge yourself, ensure you balance that with self-compassion and self-care. After all, charity begins at home!