Forget about quiet quitting - "quiet leading" is the bigger problem.

The shift to more empowered, inclusive, and flatter organizations has been one of the most encouraging trends of the last decade. In today's uncertain and volatile business environment, empowered teams and less hierarchy have been a winning combination for more agility and value creation.

But leaders still need to lead!

The rapid move to self-organized teams has left many leaders wondering about their role and identity. Do they shift from decision-making and setting strategy to simply cheerleading and coaching from the sideline? How do they balance the value of more empowerment with the reality that they hold unique knowledge and experience critical to making informed choices?

I see a concerning trend where some of the best leaders default to a passive leadership stance (an oxymoron if there ever was one). They do a great job of enabling and supporting their team but sit on their hands at critical moments when they should step in and lead.

The profile below* is from one of the most extraordinary leaders I've ever coached. She is consistantly 95%+ Creative and balances Task and Relationship as well as anyone I've seen.

Her most recent LCP revealed a dramatic shift. Out of nowhere, Passive and Belonging spiked, and Courageous Authenticity and Decisiveness (previously her signature strengths) cratered. She was way over-indexing to empowerment, and her team desperately needed her to step in, provide guidance, and make some hard choices.

Several critical decisions were long overdue. She hoped the team would realize and act on this independently - they were waiting for their leader to step in and catalyze action. Everyone was pausing - nothing was moving. Leaders need to lead.

Integrating the capacity to empower AND direct takes time, experimentation, and feedback. It will require leaders to expand their identity and redefine what it means to lead in these new organizational architectures.

Do you tend to over-index to empowerment or directing? What is the price you pay? What does your team most need from you now?


(*profile based on actual leader with edits to ensure confidentiality)