Desree Jack

Dear AFETT,

Growing up, I was always chosen to be the group leader for projects. Now, as an adult, I am often placed in charge of people and things.

While I enjoy leading, I sometimes wish to switch off and escape the responsibility.

How do I balance this inherent gift of leadership with my desire to step back occasionally?

Dear Reader,

Your question resonates deeply with me, almost as if I had written it myself.

My upbringing as the daughter of a minister of religion introduced me to leadership at an early age. From Sunday school to the youth department, spearheading church events and assisting in various ministries, leadership was woven into the fabric of my life.

As I transitioned into the corporate world, my natural inclination towards leadership continued to open doors for me.

Yet this very ability sometimes felt like a burden, manifesting as performance punishment rather than praise.

In hindsight, I realise that my early exposure to leadership was instrumental in shaping my approach today. It taught me that effective leadership isn’t about manipulating control but about stepping back, empowering others and trusting your team to carry out the vision.

Leadership is not about being at the forefront all the time, it’s about inspiring others to take initiative and ownership.

[caption id="attachment_1109450" align="alignnone" width="640"] Desree Jack, administrative strategist, planner, marketer and AFETT board member. -[/caption]

This understanding has allowed me to take joy in relinquishing control and avoiding micromanagement, ultimately fostering a more empowered and motivated team.

Strength of a born leader

One of my mentors always emphasised that leadership is nuanced. It is not one-size-fits-all.

It requires more than a title, it demands vision, decisiveness and the ability to inspire others.

I recall a formative experience early in my career when I was hired for a one-month role as a receptionist. Despite the job’s modest nature, I approached it with a leadership mindset.

At the end of the month, my dedication led to a new opportunity – I was offered the position of CEO’s assistant.

This reinforced a crucial formative lesson – leadership is reflected in how you carry yourself and the impact you make, regardless of your title or salary. Money does not equate to class.

True leadership is about your actions and the influence you wield.

Weight of responsibili-TEA

Leadership, while rewarding, can be incredibly demanding.

One of my father’s famous sayings is, "Responsibili-TEA is one hot drink that never cools."

Sounds silly, right? Probably even made you chuckle.

But when you think of that in relation to leadership – the constant pressure to be in control and make decisions that lead to exhaustion and burnout – it’s not far-fetched.

I’ve experienced moments where the weight of responsibili-TEA felt overwhelming and stepping back seemed like the only respite.

Impostor syndrome and fear of not meeting expectations are common challenges we face as