There is a particular kind of capable person who becomes the person everyone relies on.
Because they can.
And because they usually do.
The more capable you are, the more people may give you.
If saying no feels uncomfortable, the amount keeps growing.
Eventually you are not leading.
You are carrying.
Being responsible for something is not the same as being responsible for everyone.
A leader who must carry everything has built dependency.
A leader who creates capability in others has built capacity.
Sometimes the most generous thing a capable leader can do is not solve the problem.
Someone else needs to learn.
Someone else needs to take responsibility.
The team needs to develop independence.
Or your energy belongs somewhere more valuable.
A useful question is not only:
“Can I do this?”
It is:
“Is this mine to do?”
That question can change the entire experience of leadership.
Reflection
What are you carrying today that another person, team or system could learn to carry themselves?