Too many leaders are drowning in the details. Their calendars are packed, their inboxes are exploding, and every task feels like an urgent priority. They know they should be thinking more strategically by planning for growth, building trusting work relationships and moving the monkey off their shoulders. Instead, they’re stuck mulling over reports, rewriting presentations, and answering every question that comes their way.
Does this scenario resonate with you? With many of my coaching clients there never seems to be time to do important work because they are always putting out fires. If you’ve ever told yourself, “Once I get through this pile, I’ll make time for strategic work,” you’re probably caught in the classic leadership trap: believing that your value is measured by how much you do, rather than by the vision you create.
Fear can also drive staying in the weeds. Sometimes leaders worry that if they let go of some of their detailed tasks they won’t be needed. In fact, there can even be a concern that they will be replaced. But here’s the truth: holding on to everything doesn’t make you indispensable; it just makes a leader overwhelmed and frustrated. Impactful leaders are strategic leaders who create clarity, drive results by collaborating with others, and chart an enticing vision.
Here are five steps to leading above the weeds:
1. Ditch the Execution Mode
Early on in their careers leaders get promoted because of their ability to execute tasks and follow up on actions. They rose through the ranks by being reliable doers. Their identity and maybe even their confidence is based on being the one who gets things done. But what helped you succeed at one level becomes what holds you back from the next. The first step to lead above the weeds is to acknowledge that’s it time to let go of being an executor.
2. Create a Clear Vision
If you want to grow as a leader, you must be known not just as someone who works hard but as someone who thinks ahead. Being consumed with the daily tasks can limit the time you spend forging a direction. A great skill to obtain is learning how to become strong at project management. This skill will enable a leader to:
- Define goals, roles, and responsibilities clearly. This reduces confusion, rework, and miscommunication across teams.
- Move initiatives from concept to completion.
- See bottlenecks coming and solve issues before they escalate.
- Assign ownership clearly, rather than absorbing everything themselves.
3. Build Systems Strategically
Strategic leaders build systems that create dependable and repeatable results without them having to be involved every step of the way. They document the process behind things that work well such as onboarding, project launches, client handoffs and reporting cycles. This helps so team members can replicate success consistently.
4. Communicate Clearly and Often
Clear Communication is the oil that keeps a project running smoothly. Can you communicate expectations crisply, so your team can operate without constant clarification or rework? To make communication understandable and easy to digest a leader needs to:
- Choose words and language that the whole team recognizes.
- Use an appropriate volume and speed so a message can be heard accurately by everyone.
- Share the information several times in several different formats- orally and written in emails or documents.
- Listen for any questions or concerns.
5. Delegate and Collaborate with Expertise
Delegation is a learned and invaluable skill for leaders to become more impactful. It is an essential step to moving above the weeds. Assigning tasks to colleagues and teammates that have the right experience and abilities is important for successful delegation. If a leader assigns a task that someone is unqualified to perform, the delegation will fall short. On the other hand, if the right person is selected by a leader and will execute the responsibility with finesse, it’s a win-win. Of course, the key to delegation is actually stepping back and letting others step in.
Leading above the weeds is a mindset shift. Instead of taking on all the tasks of a project, lead by collaborating. Make time to be more strategic which will help you grow your leadership and empower others to grow too. You’re not letting go but rather leveling up.
How do you lead above the weeds? If you are curious how to become a more strategic leader just reach out.