Let Go or Be Dragged
What riding a jet ski with my daughter taught me about hiring, leadership, and trust
Giving up control is hard.
The other day, my daughter turned 14. And while I’m obviously biased, she’s incredible. One tradition we’ve started is going to our favorite mountain lake in Eden, Utah and riding jet skis together. It’s usually me in control, her riding along with occasional turns driving.
This year, though, I let her drive. Technically not legal. Definitely unforgettable.
With me holding on in the back, she took that jet ski and ripped around the lake…fast speeds, hard turns, full confidence. I coached a little, gave tips, pointed out a few oncoming boats… but mostly, I just let go.
And you know what? She crushed it.
I realized something out there: I’d been holding on too tight. The more I relaxed, the more confident she became. The less I tried to control, the more capable she was.
Of course, I’m sure she enjoyed making her old man a little nervous.
What Are You Trying to Control That You Should Let Go?
Maybe it’s something at work. A client, a team member, a project you’re too in the weeds on. Maybe the deal will get done without your fingerprints all over it.
If you’ve set expectations, coached the person, and pointed out what to watch for, then get out of the way. Let them drive.
We’re working with a big client right now who loves large hiring panels. I want to control who’s involved, what their role is, and how the candidate experience flows. But I’ve had to let go of that. I can’t control who’s on the panel. I can only control the quality of the candidate and how well they’re prepared.
Same goes for building a team: If you hire smart people, help them—but then get out of their way.
TL;DR:
Letting go is uncomfortable—but necessary.
Trust leads to growth (yours and theirs).
You’re not failing by giving up control. You’re empowering.
Let someone else drive this week.
If you’re hiring and want a recruiting partner who knows when to step in and when to step back then check out what we’re doing at Ramp Talent. We help growing companies find great people, coach them through the process, and then let them drive.