Empowering Team Leaders and Cultivating Growth in Associations

Empowering Team Leaders and Cultivating Growth in Associations

Overwhelmed by responsibilities and unable to delegate or hire new talent, many association leaders face a Catch-22 of limited resources and high expectations. In an article by .orgSource, Sharon Rice and Jennifer Proctor discussed empowering team leaders to provide space for growth. 

Rice noted that the cyclical nature of work in associations has shifted to a continuous uphill climb, increasing the strain on middle managers. These managers, crucial for translating strategy into execution, are often at risk of burnout despite their potential to become great leaders.

To tackle these challenges, organizations must recognize when they’re cornered and identify signs of overwhelm, such as dreading work or feeling unfulfilled. Addressing these issues involves fostering a supportive dialogue with supervisors about workload distribution and connecting with peers to share strategies and support.

Empowering team leaders is essential. This includes giving them the authority to make decisions and not requiring managers to micromanage every task. Regular check-ins, like weekly status reports, can help everyone stay informed and confident about progress without being overwhelmed. Additionally, reviewing and potentially eliminating less valuable tasks can free up capacity for more impactful activities.

Middle managers, with their deep understanding of the organization’s products and services, are well-positioned to identify and discard activities that do not align with strategic goals. By lightening the load, organizations create space for reflection, evaluation, and creativity, which cultivates new leaders and enhances organizational culture. 

This approach not only alleviates immediate pressures but also fosters long-term professional fulfillment and growth, empowering team leaders to drive the organization forward effectively.