My amazing friend (and former coach) Luis Velasquez MBA, PhD. and I wrote an article for HBR about “umbrella managers,” or leaders who believe it is their job to protect their team from organizational challenges to the detriment of themselves, their teams, and their organizations. The article outlines the mental shifts and specific actions that can help umbrella managers let go of the need to protect their team and start supporting them.

In the last 6 years I have had the privilege of mentoring a number of new managers (and managers of managers) on my team. The tendency to ‘protect’ is strong, especially in high stress work environments- I should know, because I am a former umbrella manager.

Please check out “How to Equip Your Team Problem Solve Without You” at Harvard Business Review, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.