You may have trained them to do this

Nobody loves this one.

Hi,

“My executives need to take more ownership.”

I hear some version of that every week.

So I ask:

What decisions are they actually allowed to make without you?

That is usually where the conversation slows down.

Because telling people to take ownership while requiring your approval is not empowerment.

It is corporate hide-and-seek.

And somehow you are always “it.”

Unnecessary escalations usually happen for four reasons.

Authority. Nobody knows who owns the decision.

Threshold. They have authority but not its edges.

Fear. Being wrong feels more expensive than being slow.

Habit. It has always come to you.

And here is the annoying part.

Leadership often creates this by being helpful.

Available.

Fast.

Good at solving problems.

Every rescue teaches the same lesson:

When uncertain, escalate.

So this week, do not tell your team to take more ownership.

Ask them:

“What is one decision you currently bring me that you believe you should own?”

Then stop talking.

Let the silence do some work.

That may be the most valuable ninety seconds of your quarter.

Which one is biggest in your company?

Authority?

Threshold?

Fear?

Habit?

Hit reply with just the number.

One through four.

Lisa

P.S. Want to see how often it is really happening instead of how often you think it is?

Reply BOTTLENECK.