The action: Help your team take on more responsibility by moving up the delegation ladder. But stop at step five – “I intend to”, because that’s where you maximize communication.
The long-form: Former submarine commander David Marquet introduces a ladder of leadership levels that encourages people to progress upwards. The ladder imagines what subordinates would say at different levels of empowerment:
7. I’ve been doing…
6. I’ve done…
5. I intend to…
4. I would like to…
3. I think…
2. I see…
1. Tell me what to do.
Ascending the ladder empowers your team members and enhances communication between you and them. However, it’s at step 5, “I intend to…”, where delegation reaches its sweet spot. At this level, empowerment continues to increase, while the need for communication starts to diminish.
Marquet shares his experience of transitioning from a culture where people would wait for his orders to submerge the submarine to one where they would inform him, saying, “I intend to dive. We have everything squared away, and the crew is prepared.” In response, Marquet would simply acknowledge, “Very well!”
This approach ensured the commander remained aware of ongoing operations while empowering the crew with increased authority within the organization.
Communication comes before the action, and is therefore easier to change. In his words, “A little rudder far from the rocks is better than a lot of rudder close to the rocks.”
Read more from David Marquet at Intent-Based Leadership
See also:
First Forty 