The best leaders don’t make themselves irreplaceable. They build systems, people, and cultures that run strong even when they’re not in the room. Your job isn’t to be the hero—it’s to make sure the team doesn’t need one.
Leadership isn’t granted by title — it’s earned by action. If you’re waiting for permission to lead, you’re already behind. The best leaders I’ve ever worked with weren’t managers — they were the ones brave enough to speak up, lift others up, and take the first step when no one else would.
If you need to approve every task, comment on every PR, and hover in every meeting—you’re not leading, you’re just controlling. Real leadership starts where control ends. Here’s how to stop being the bottleneck and start building trust.
