An old friend visited me last month and that was one meet up I was looking forward to because we have not seen each other in ages.  We have constant communication but nothing beats a face to face interaction. I was surprised upon seeing him since he looked so stressed and burnt out.  He lamented that work has taken a toll and he feels he has too much on his plate.

I am sure that there are many out there who can empathize or relate to my friend.  As leaders in your own professional fields, with the surmounting amount of responsibilities on your shoulders, to be overwhelmed has become an understatement.  

There are two important words that you should always bear in mind — “Empowerment” and “Delegation.”  These are two of the many key qualities a leader should possess to prevent the burn out syndrome.

Even if you are a top-notch executive or a leader in the most prestigious organization, remember — you cannot do everything on your own.  You need other people to get things done. Your task is to focus on the key responsibilities and let your team do the rest. This is what delegation is all about.  

Delegation is giving another person the authority over a certain task. However, as a leader, you have to ensure that when you hand over a task or responsibility, you also equip them with the necessary resources/materials to help get things done.  

Here is where the twist comes in.  When you delegate a task, subconsciously, you are also empowering that person.  It is your way of saying “I believe in you and in your capabilities, that is why I am entrusting you with this task.”  Such an act boosts a person’s confidence and you are able to bring out the best in that individual.  You help the person be more competent and learn to believe in him or herself. You try to bring out the best in that person, in often cases even he or she does not  know they can do. Knowing that there is someone who believes in one’s abilities is a significant motivating factor.

That is the mark of a true leader.  You do not only work on improving yourself but you also bring others with you and as one team you all grow together.

” Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better” — BILL BRADLEY