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‘My people aren’t stepping up, so I have to be more directive. But when I do, they feel disempowered, and then I have to take even more control.’

I hear it all the time.

It’s a frustrating cycle. You want your team to take initiative, solve problems, and think independently.

But when they don’t, you feel like you have no choice but to step in. And the more you step in, the less they take ownership.

So how do you break this pattern? How do you lead in a way that empowers your people while ensuring accountability?

In this article, I’ll unpack why this cycle happens, the leadership traps that cause it, and—most importantly—how to build a team that takes real ownership without having to micromanage.

The Leadership Trap – Why This Keeps Happening

Let’s start with the trap that so many leaders fall into:

1. People don’t step up → So you take control.
2. You take control → So they stop taking initiative.
3. They stop taking initiative → So you feel forced to be even more directive.

And the cycle continues.

Why does this happen? It’s not because your people aren’t capable—it’s because of how they’ve been conditioned to work under your leadership.

Here’s what might be going on:

• Fear of making mistakes → If the culture punishes errors, people will play it safe rather than take risks.
• Lack of clear expectations → If your team doesn’t know what stepping up looks like, they won’t do it.
• Past micromanagement patterns → If you’ve stepped in too often, they’ve learned to wait for direction rather than think independently.

Sound familiar?

Shifting from Directive to Empowering Leadership

To break the cycle, you need to stop solving every problem for your team and instead create an environment where they feel safe and responsible for taking ownership.

Here’s how to make that shift:

1. Redefine ‘stepping up.’ If you want people to take more ownership, be clear about what that actually means. Are they making decisions? Leading projects? Taking risks? Define it.
2. Create ‘freedom within a framework.’ Instead of total control or total chaos, set clear expectations, then step back. Tell them what needs to happen, but let them decide how to do it.
3. Coach, don’t dictate. The next time someone comes to you with a problem, don’t give them the answer. Instead, ask: ‘How would you handle this?’ This forces them to think critically and take responsibility.
4. Recognize effort, not just results. If people fear failure, they won’t take initiative. Make it safe for them to try, learn, and improve.

How to Build an Ownership Mindset in Your Team

To create a culture of ownership, leaders need to be intentional about how they structure responsibility and decision-making.

Here are three things you can do immediately:

1. Establish non-negotiables. Your team needs clarity on what’s your call and what’s their responsibility. Define where they have full decision-making power and where they need to check in.
2. Use strategic delegation. Don’t just hand off tasks—assign work in a way that stretches their capabilities. Give them projects that challenge them but still align with their strengths.
3. Encourage solution-based thinking. If someone comes to you with a problem, don’t solve it for them. Require them to bring at least one possible solution. This simple shift rewires their mindset from ‘waiting for answers’ to ‘figuring it out.’”

The Leadership Mindset Shift

This all comes down to a shift in how you lead.

Many leaders believe they have to choose between control and chaos—either they take full ownership, or their team does. But the best leaders don’t choose between these extremes. They create a system where their people feel trusted, capable, and accountable.

The most successful teams don’t just do what they’re told—they own the work. They anticipate problems, make decisions, and drive results.

So here’s my challenge to you:

• The next time you feel the urge to step in, ask yourself: Am I actually helping my team grow?
• The next time someone comes to you with a problem, ask them: What do you think we should do?
• And the next time you delegate, set expectations—but give them the space to figure it out.

Your job as a leader isn’t to do everything. It’s to create an environment where your people step up because they know you trust them to do so.

In summary

So, if you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting your people to step up and feeling like you have to take control, remember this:

Leadership isn’t about choosing between control and chaos.

It’s about creating an environment where your team knows what’s expected of them, has the freedom to execute, and takes full ownership of the outcomes.

Andrea Petrone

CEO Whisperer | Top 1% Executive Coach and Speaker in the UK | Founder of WCL.

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