One of the hardest task a leader faces is achieving goals and objectives while using the available resources.  Sometimes just doing it yourself can be very appealing.

Leading by example, certainly involves a “do it yourself” element but at its heart, this a  balanced technique to build empathy and set a overall cultural tone.  It is an example not actually doing it yourself.

Undertaking a task and doing it, particulary when the assigned resource is not working out, typically turns out to be unsustainable.  This can be an influencing factor behind  personal “burn out”.

Is It Worth the Effort

For a truly effective leader the ability to use all your available tools, (human, machine, or otherwise) is crucial.  It just takes common sense to realize a single person cannot achieve the results of 3000 by themselves (or even just 10).

This is not just managing resource utilization but most importantly guiding all the resources to success.  That is, after all,  a key function of leadership, creating an environment for success.  Doing it yourself can appear easier, but this is a false view.

How?

The fundamental attributes of leadership are almost exclusively focused on enabling the leader to unleash the power of others.  That is enabling others to achieve their best.

Essentially leaders perform truly a catalytic role.  You are not involved or used up by the reaction but you are instrumental in the reaction occuring at all.  Without a leader the chances for success are diminished.  The risk of failure looms.

I have posted about specific leadership attributes in the past (self awareness, confidence, empathy, vision, achievement orientation, to name a few) and I will post more specifics in the future.

Todays takeaway is an understanding of the linkage between these atrributes and not doing it yourself.  That leads to success.