Josh's Weekly Insights-July 2, 2025:

“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.”

-Bob Dylan

As we approach the Fourth of July, freedom is a topic that was on my mind. Not just in the freedom of our country, but the freedom that we need in the workplace to do our jobs well. 

Many leaders are afraid to give their team members freedom because that opens up more room for errors and mistakes. While that may be true, it also opens up space for creativity and innovation. Leaders should strive to give their team members freedom to make decisions and try new methods because that is a sign of a healthy, growing team. Micromanagers and leaders who can’t delegate to their team because “it won’t be done my way” are teams that will always have limited success.

However as team members, when you are given freedom make the most of it. Understand what bounds you need to operate in and then make the best decisions you can to create positive impact for your team. Earn your freedom by proving that there is value in letting you work independently. If you do that, your leaders can give you more space and discretion. If you aren’t sure what the right decision looks like, have a conversation with your leaders. Seek to understand their goals and objectives and then align your decisions and actions with outcomes that they seek.

Freedom is a responsibility of leaders to give and the team members to keep earning. And the more of it that exists at work, the more productive our teams will be.

Now get out there and crush your week!