Field Note: Empowering the Leaders, Two Statements, One Question

When it comes to enabling leaders in my team, I think we often overcomplicate what “empowerment” actually means. For me, it comes down to a simple, repeatable frame: two statements and one question.

An intentional de-complexifying of things. The goal is to manage the outcome, not the method, and it's pretty simple.

Statement 1: The Vision - What is it we need to achieve, the 10,000-foot view of what success looks like when we’re done.

Statement 2: The Reason - Why we need to achieve it, the broader context, including what’s specific and nuanced. This is the real fuel to get to the vision.

Question 1: Play Support - What do you need from me? Playing support is the key as a leader of leaders.

There will always be moments where it’s tempting to jump in, maybe spoon-feed answers, offer hints, or step in and take control. In most cases, that’s a mistake for many reasons.

By setting the vision, explaining the reasons, and asking how I can help, the team can pick up the ball and run with it. That ability is essential when I’m not on the playing field, I've given the pre-game briefing and I'm cheering them on.