Empowered, Not Overpowered: Leadership That Lifts, Not Controls
Some leaders hover. Some empower.
If you’ve ever worked with a leader who had to be involved in everything—down to approving font choices in emails—you know the exhaustion of micromanagement.
Meet Micromanaging Martha, who reviews every comma, and Hovering Harold, who breathes down necks like a workplace helicopter parent.
These leaders stifle creativity, slow decision-making, and turn teams into second-guessers instead of solution-makers.
But the best leaders take a different approach. They’re more like Trusting Trina and Empowering Eddie—leaders who create a space where people feel trusted, capable, and ready to take ownership. Here’s how you can do the same.
1️⃣ Trust First, Guide Second
Great leaders trust their team’s abilities first—then guide as needed, not control by default. They set clear expectations but resist hovering over every detail.
Don’t be Approval Andy, who needs to sign off on everything from meeting agendas to coffee orders. Instead, channel Confident Carla, who believes in her team’s judgment.
Instead of: “Let me see that before you send it.” ✅ Try: “I trust your instincts. Let me know if you need a second opinion.”
When people know they’re trusted, they’re more likely to own their work with confidence.
2️⃣ Coach, Don’t Command
Micromanagement is about control. Coaching is about growth. Leaders who empower ask questions instead of issuing directives.
Avoid being Dictating Dave, who barks orders without explanation. Be more like Coaching Claire, who develops talent through thoughtful questions.
Instead of: “Do it this way because I said so.” ✅ Try: “What’s your approach? Let’s think it through together.”
This mindset shift moves leadership from dictating tasks to developing talent.
3️⃣ Give Decision-Making Power
If every decision runs through you, you’re a bottleneck. Empowered teams need room to lead, too.
Don’t become Bottleneck Bob, who creates traffic jams in productivity. Instead, be Delegating Diana, who trusts her team to make smart calls.
Instead of: “Let me approve that.” ✅ Try: “You’ve got the call. Make the best decision, and I’ll back you up.”
Delegating with trust builds accountability without fear.
4️⃣ Let People Fail (Within Reason!)
The best leaders know mistakes are lessons, not losses.
Perfectionist Paul panics at the thought of any misstep, while Learning Lucy sees failures as growth opportunities.
Instead of: “Don’t mess this up.” ✅ Try: “Give it your best shot—learning from mistakes makes us stronger.”
Failure handled well breeds better problem-solvers and stronger thinkers.
5️⃣ Create a Culture of Ownership
Autonomy thrives in a culture where people feel safe to take initiative.
Transform from Control-Freak Carl into Ownership Oliver, who celebrates when team members step up and lead.
✅ Encourage solutions, not just problems ✅ Ask for team insights before making big decisions ✅ Celebrate proactive leadership at every level
When everyone leads, teams succeed beyond expectations.
✍️ Note to Self: A leader’s job isn’t to control every move—it’s to create a space where people lead, grow, and thrive.
The FUNomenal™ Finale: True leadership isn’t about holding the reins—it’s about trusting your team to run the race.
Now over to you: Which empowering leadership move will you make this week?
-> Read More: Leading by Listening: The Leadership Superpower
AI Sidekick Alert: This post was unpacked and given a touch of FUNomenal™sparkle with the creative assistance of my behind-the-scenes AI brainstorming buddy!
About Tony
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Tony Brigmon | Speaker—Emcee | TonyBrigmon.com
Tony Brigmon is a party animal. He’s been known to stay up well past nine o’clock drinking root beer and telling G-rated jokes. Sure, the neighbors complain, but that doesn’t stop him. Because Tony is serious about having fun. Serious fun, with serious results.
As a result of his questionable spelling skills, Tony learned at an early age that his name spelled backward is “YNOT.” As in, “YNOT take a closer look at his book?” Or “YNOT smile when you should be crying?”
Tony was a Southwest Airlines “Insider” and the former “face” of their renowned culture as their official “Ambassador of Fun”. At Southwest Airlines, “fun” was the power of “positivity” that helped catapult a small carrier into a force that changed the airline industry.
Today, Tony is a popular speaker, emcee, and author of The FUNomenal™ Workplace. (FUNomenal™ is pronounced the same as phenomenal but it’s a lot more FUN.)
Former CEO of Southwest Airlines Howard Putnam says: “Tony has a gift for blending fun and capturing ideas in a manner that sticks for audiences.” Tony’s friends say that no one should have so much fun while sober. Tony’s wife said she has had about all the cheerfulness she can stand.
“Fun” transformed this author’s work and life. YNOT discover if the serious power of fun can transform the next 30 seconds of your day or 30 years of your life?
YNOT arrange to have Tony Brigmon teach you and your team how the power of fun can help you get more done, bring out the best in everyone, and make you irresistibly attractive in your communication with others. You can do this. So, YNOT?
