The Subtle Ways Leaders Create Dependency

Dependency doesn’t usually happen because of poor intent.

It happens through small, repeated behaviours.

Things like:

• Answering too quickly
• Stepping in to “help”
• Rechecking work that didn’t need rechecking
• Being the final decision-maker on everything

Each one seems minor.

But together, they send a clear message: “I’m the one who holds this.”

And your team responds accordingly.

They bring problems instead of solutions.
They seek approval instead of making decisions.
They stay close to you – rather than stepping forward.

In Leading Through Others, this is one of the most important shifts: Moving from being the centre to creating capability around you

And it starts with noticing where you might be holding on more than you need to.