Month 10 · Lead Leaders
Become a Springboard
Trade indispensability for secure leadership that releases capable people.
Capacity being formed
Empowerment
Release ownership, coach capability, and celebrate people who may outgrow your role.
Evidence of formation
A developing leader owns a meaningful responsibility for 30 days and teaches or improves part of it.
Signorelli wisdom
“You should not be in authority unless you’re first under authority.”
Authority is formed under authority and proven by what it can release.
Secure leaders do not make themselves indispensable. They entrust real outcomes, clear authority, support, and room for another person to grow stronger.
Biblical anchor · ESV
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
Your discovery tool
Delegation Ladder
Build a Delegation Ladder: observe, assist, own with review, own with exceptions, teach another, improve the system.
Outcome
Define the result, why it matters, proof of done, and deadline. Do not prescribe every method.
Level
Choose: observe, assist, own with review, own with exceptions, teach another, or improve the system.
Authority
List decisions they can make, resources and access, non-negotiable guardrails, and escalation triggers.
Review
Set check-in date, feedback method, learning question, and what you will not take back.
Your session journey
One discovery. One rehearsal. One covenant.
You never have to perform for your coach. Bring one real situation and stay close to what is true, usable, and within your responsibility.
0–7
Arrive
Rate present intensity 0–10; name one desired outcome.
7–15
Witness
Name what changed, what helped, and what remains difficult.
15–25
Language
Underline one phrase; explain it in your own words; choose the phrase you need today.
25–45
Delegation Ladder
Write concise answers for all four fields using one current, concrete situation.
45–57
Locate
Name the governing story, protection, motive, expectation, or system and the cost it creates.
57–70
Rehearse
Practice the new response out loud; receive feedback; repeat until the first step is clear and natural.
70–82
Prescribe
Select the practice, calendar it, and identify the witness or environmental support.
82–90
Covenant
State one commitment, one witness, one due date, and one piece of evidence. Rate confidence 0–10; shrink the plan if below 7.
Why the practice can work
Why delegation needs pre-decisions
Specific if-then plans reduce ambiguity at predictable decision points. In delegation, clear exceptions, review triggers, and authority boundaries help the developing leader act without waiting for rescue.
Read the primary source →Gollwitzer & Sheeran (2006), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69–119
Thirty-day prescription
Practice until it becomes available under pressure.
Weekly
Transfer one meaningful decision or advance one person one ladder level.
Evidence: Outcome, authority granted, decision made, and learning.
At review
Ask before telling: What worked? What did you learn? What will you change? What support is needed?
Evidence: Leader’s next decision, not merely the coach’s advice.
Care + scope boundary
Delegation does not transfer duties that law, policy, competence, ordination, licensing, or safeguarding reserve for an accountable role.
Monthly evidence review
Measure formation in real life.
Private reflection
Where does being needed protect your identity?
Source lineage
Original SLS facilitation design synthesized from Mike Signorelli’s books and leadership frameworks. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, used by permission. All rights reserved.