As an executive, it can be all too easy to become a martyr in the eyes of your team.

You put in long hours and take on more work than you should. After all, you don’t
want to burn out your employees! You have good intentions, but as a result, your team may not feel compelled to step up and take on additional responsibility.

Leaders need to rely on their team in order to succeed. This is why you hired employees in the first place. They are your support system.

In this blog post, you will learn how to lean on your team — and stop playing the martyr!

1. Be honest about what you need

It takes time to rewrite the do-it-yourself mindset that comes with being an entrepreneur. You are used to having a hand in every pot. Now, you have to learn new habits. Thankfully, your team is eager to support you. You just have to be willing to let go.

The next step is simple: ask yourself what you need help with. You’re likely already delegating some things…but what else can you hand off? What small change in responsibility can have a larger impact on your mental health and emotional wellbeing as a leader?

Maybe you want to end your workday at 4 p.m. to spend more time with family. How can your team support that goal? Be honest about your priorities and work with your team to help make them happen.

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2. Invite your team to step up

Have you ever felt like your team relied on you to make every single decision? If so, you may need to pull-back. A strong team should be able to operate without you in the room.

Their dependency on you is likely a symptom of Martyr Leadership. If you consistently overextend your responsibilities, you prevent positive growth in your team.

The solution? Encourage your employees to step up. Create growth plans for each and invite them to critically think about solutions to problems.

Join meetings as a participant rather than the final decision-maker. Guide your team’s reasoning and challenge their thinking without providing a solution. See how they respond to your higher expectations.

Will they rise up and grow? Or shrivel back and say, “That’s not in my job description.” Depending on their response, you may learn more about your team’s character!

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3. Be patient with your learning curve

Transitioning from a DIY attitude to one of delegation is not easy. You may make mistakes along the way — and that’s okay! The key is to learn from those mistakes. After all, you cannot delegate everything immediately. Baby steps are essential in this process.

Martyr Leadership has deep roots in fear and trust. As you flex new delegation muscles, you will be forced to confront your fear of letting go. Be patient with yourself as you work through this process. Remember that you are learning!

Invite your team to give you honest feedback about your delegation style. What could you be doing better? What makes them hesitant to take on more responsibility? Be open to what they say and make adjustments where needed.

The goal is not to become perfect. It’s to become better.

Relying on your team is a strength, not a weakness. As the leader, you need to set an example. Show your employees that it’s okay to ask for help and delegate responsibilities.

By doing so, you create a positive feedback loop. Your team will feel empowered in their role — and in return, they will be more likely to support you!

If you need help growing your team, schedule a free strategy call with us today. We are here to help you find your right-fit teammate who will help you take your business to the next level.