Most agency leaders know they should delegate more. But many don’t know how to do it without losing control, slowing things down, or feeling like they’re setting someone up to fail.
Here’s a simple model I often share with leaders looking to grow their team’s confidence and capability:
Show one. Watch one. Do one.
That’s it. That’s the handover.
It’s a subtle but powerful framework that:
- Gives people the confidence to try new things
- Keeps standards high without micromanagement
- Embeds learning in live situations, not off-sites
Let’s break it down.
Show one Lead the way. Model the standard. Let them see how you approach a client presentation, a difficult 1:1, a pitch deck, or a project kickoff. Narrate your thinking if it helps.
Watch one Let them take the lead next time. Be there. Take notes. Step in if needed, but mostly? Stay quiet. This is about observing their take on it, not jumping in to correct them.
Do one Hand it over. Fully. Let them run it solo, knowing you’re there for support but no longer steering. They’re on the hook now — and that’s where the growth happens.
Why this matters: Agencies grow when people grow. And this model allows leaders to step back without dropping the ball. It creates more autonomy, faster. And it helps the team realise they can do the thing — without waiting for someone else to.
It also reduces the risk of senior people becoming bottlenecks. Because you don’t need to wait for a perfect, polished handover. You just need a clear process for passing the baton.
Thought into Action:
- What’s one thing you could hand over this month using Show / Watch / Do?
- Who’s ready to take on more — but needs that little bit of structure to get there?
- Could you make this your agency-wide model for upskilling?
Capability builds confidence. Confidence builds culture. Show it once. Watch it once. Then let them do it.
Good luck!
Andy