Leadership involves a high-level perspective that leads a team or organization toward long-term goals. But what happens when a leader gets lost in the details or, as we like to say, “stuck in the weeds”? Here's how to navigate this tricky situation.
Recognize the signs: First, learn how to recognize when leaders are missing important goals. These symptoms may manifest themselves as preoccupation with minor details, delayed decision-making, or a sharp decline in team morale and productivity. Understanding the early signs can give you the insight you need to intervene at the right moment.
Open a conversation: Once you've identified a problem, the next important step is to initiate an honest conversation. Choose open-ended questions such as “Do you think we are focusing on the right priorities?” or “How do you think the current project aligns with our long-term goals?” These questions serve as reflective prompts that encourage leaders to think critically about their current approaches.
Offer to shoulder some of the burden: If you determine that your leader is feeling overwhelmed by micromanagement, suggest redistributing responsibilities. Identify tasks that can be performed effectively by other capable team members. Explain how this reallocation will allow leaders to focus on strategy, problem solving, and other higher-level functions that require unique expertise.
Delegation and Trust Proposal: Delegation can be a transformative skill for any leader. Use this as an opportunity for team growth to show how delegation can free up leaders to engage in more brain work while also helping develop junior team members. Encourage leaders to delegate smaller, more manageable tasks to other team members from the beginning.
Strategic Planning Session Advocates: Recommending scheduled strategic planning sessions can help leaders regain focus. During these sessions, you actively review and realign your long-term goals. Discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics that can serve as indicators of success to help leaders overcome the weeds and realign their vision.
Please provide constructive feedback: Close by providing witty yet impactful feedback. We recommend doing this as part of a formal review session or routine one-on-one meeting. Your criticism acts as a mirror, reflecting both the good and the areas in need of improvement, giving leaders a much-needed reality check.
A leader who gets stuck in the weeds can slow down the progress of the entire team. By recognizing problems and solving them tactfully, you can contribute to creating a more functional and focused work environment.
Leading from within: When you help your leader see beyond the weeds, you're not only paving the way for him, but you're paving the way for success for the entire team.
#1 domestic bestseller
leadership gap
What comes between you and your greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions based on specific values and characteristics. However, over time, all executives reach a point where performance declines and failure persists. Few people understand why or how to prevent it.
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Lolly Daskal is one of the world's most sought-after executive leadership coaches. Her extensive multicultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages, and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her exclusive leadership programs are designed to be a catalyst for leaders who want to improve performance and create meaningful change in their companies, lives, and world.
Among Lolly's numerous awards and recognitions, Lolly Top 50 Leadership and Management Experts Inc. From a magazine. The Huffington Post honored Lolly with the following honor: The most inspiring woman in the world. Her writing has appeared on HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and elsewhere. Her latest book, The Leadership Gap: What Stands Between You and Your Greatness It became a national bestseller.