Control feels safe. But trust is what scales.
And yet—control is just an illusion.
Things are only “under control” as long as not too many defining parameters change. At best, control is a temporary reduction of risk.
Let’s be honest
If you’ve built something with your bare hands—a business, a team, a movement—it’s hard to let go.
My own story of control vs. trust
I’ve been there myself. After I built my lodge in Tanzania, things weren’t going as I’d hoped. So I tried to control everything—from the booking system to how the towels were folded and the rooms were cleaned.
I thought everything had to be done my way.
But the truth? My grip slowed the team down.
It wasn’t until I found and developed people I could trust that I could finally focus on what would move the whole project forward.
And finding that balance—between trust and control—has been a recurring challenge ever since. But that’s a story for another time.
When letting go feels like a risk
You remember every late night. Every tough call. Every moment you thought it might fall apart—and you held it together.
So when others join you… and they don’t do it your way… it feels risky.
- They move slower.
- Make mistakes.
- Miss details you would’ve caught.
And the reflex kicks in: Step in. Fix it. Do it yourself.
The hard truth about control
You can’t grow something you won’t let go of.
Control creates friction.
Trust creates scale.
When you hold the reins too tight, your team stops moving. Not because they can’t—but because they’re afraid to.
And fear kills creativity.
Fear kills initiative.
Fear kills momentum.
What most leaders don’t realize
Most leaders I work with don’t mean to create fear. They just want things done right.
But perfectionism masquerades as leadership. And it chokes the very thing you’re trying to grow.
Leadership is about trust
Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room.
It’s about creating a room where others get smarter.
That starts with trust.
Not blind trust. Not naïve hope.
But the kind of trust that says:
I see your potential. I’m willing to let you rise—even if it’s messy.
Here’s what I know:
- If you want a team that takes ownership—you have to let go of control.
- If you want people to grow—you have to give them space to stumble.
- If you want to lead with impact—you have to lead with trust.
It’s not easy.
But it’s necessary.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s talk
Every week, I offer one free coaching session.
No sales pitch. Just one powerful conversation.
Maybe you can do it all.
But you can’t do it all at once.
And you don’t have to do it on your own.
All the best – Floh
