Controlling Things Less (and yourself more)

Some of you reading this might be control freaks—or at least know one. And here’s the truth: control freaks often care the most. You want things done right. You want results. You want to protect what you’ve built. But over years of coaching business owners and leaders, I’ve seen a clear pattern—the more tightly you hold on, the harder it becomes to build trust with the people around you.

Control feels safe, but it quietly limits your impact. When you control more, trust shrinks and influence fades. When you loosen your grip, something powerful happens: trust grows, ownership increases, and your influence expands far beyond what you could accomplish alone.

Letting go isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. Delegating control doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means raising people. It’s a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But every step you take toward trust builds a stronger, more capable team.

So ask yourself: where can you release control and create space for others to step up? You don’t have to give up the reins all at once—just start. Trust the process. Trust your people. And most importantly, trust yourself. You have what it takes to lead at a higher level.