Why can’t senior managers step up once in a while?

This is probably the phrase I hear CEOs and Managing Directors say the most (whilst senior managers are complaining that the boss can’t let go). 

It’s a really common phenomenon in business and it's exasperated by busy periods or times when we are under pressure (for many leaders that's most of the time).

The solution boils down to creating new habits more than it does losing old habits. They say if you do something new 7 times it starts to become habit forming but firstly, there really has to be a shift in thinking.

If you want your key people to take more responsibility then you have to be clear on outcomes that you want from each scenario and even clearer about the outcome you want from letting them take responsibility. Don’t expect anyone to do it like you would because it just won’t happen and this will lead to frustration.

We came across a great approach to this recently. Former nuclear submarine Commander and author David Marquet changed the language he used and expected from his team in the Navy on the submarine under his command. The previously accepted “permission to…sir” was replaced with “ I intend to..."

Training your managers to declare their intention really ups the game on both sides. It requires very different thinking from 'is this ok?' or 'I was thinking of x what do you think?'. Obviously the stakes are higher in this type of team scenario but Marquet was comfortable the risk.

Give it a go with your team . What’s the worst that can happen?