I want to give my team more autonomy, but I'm also a perfectionist struggling to let go of control. How do you build trust to a point where you can comfortably delegate major project elements without micromanaging?

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If your team possesses the skill and the will to carryout a task correctly then you should allow them to do so without checking on them or interfering. If they don’t have the skill or will, it’s reasonable to assist.

The need to control stems from fear. It’s normal for many. We think that if we handle it all on our own we can get ahead of problems or avoid pitfalls that others may not catch because they don’t have the same attention to detail. In reality, so can your team. You have to give them the opportunity though. Can you think of a time that you asked them to handle a task and it wasn’t completed successfully? It’s likely that each time it turned out ok.

Suggestion 1) Try handing over a project completely and let your team know that you’re available if they hit any roadblocks or need help. Don’t check in or ask to be cc’d.

Suggestion 2) Get lunch. Do you know your team? Where are they from? How many kids do they have? A dog? You’d be surprised how many teams don’t talk or even come in proximity of each other. This will build trust on both ends and open up communication.

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I think you need to start from a place where it’s not just your project. People on the project at different levels should feel an ownership and responsibility. You are there to help shape it and make it better.

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Be clear about the items that are a must and free yourself of being responsible for their work. If you are really worried, it can help to let your boss or a trusted work partner that the team is leading. They can help provide feedback and observe how it’s handled. Most of the time it ends up being mostly fine and folks don’t notice the same details you would. This last part pains me a bit - the intersection of control and having standards (I find most designers to be sloppy)

See a therapist. I’m serious — this can often be a symptom of a deeper issue that causes you to mistrust people in general.

I would focus on owning the brief. Better briefing means better work and less confusion on the team.

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