Thinking vs Doing - How Delegation Drives Growth
Recently, I talked with several clients about leveling up their leadership by taking on the “Thinker” role instead of always being the “Doer.” Leadership is not about doing more—it’s about thinking more effectively. When you focus only on the doing, the business’s growth is restricted by your own personal capacity.
This idea really resonated with the clients.
Many leaders believe, “I have to do this” (whatever the task might be) to be able to delegate something, so everything stops with us being the Doer. What if we became the Thinkers and encouraged our team to be the Doers and engage their thinking? I learned this the hard way years ago when I realized I was the bottleneck in my own business because I needed to be involved in (“doing!) everything before I delegated anything.
Here’s an example of a conversation I had about Thinker vs. Doer:
My client was preparing for vacation and worried about all the work required to get the team ready for what needed to be done while they were gone.
I suggested meeting with the team to create a list of tasks that could be handled while the leader was away. Then the key element took place… The leader asks, “What can you run with while I am out of town?” The follow-up question is, “What, if anything, do you need from me to move forward?” This will empower your people to take the lead and eliminate the bottleneck of you having to do steps 1–3 before delegating. Schedule a brief meeting to review these ideas, discuss how they will be implemented, and provide guidance or input as needed.
This is what differentiates you in figuring everything out and presenting it to them. It saves you time and helps grow your team into leaders.
Think Like a Leader, Not Just a Doer
Many business owners and leaders proudly wear their “Doer” badge. You roll up your sleeves, handle the task list, and execute like a machine. But here’s the thing: even when you delegate, you’re still doing it. You're the one ...
… thinking about what needs to be done,
… organizing it,
… and passing it on.
That’s not true freedom—it’s just disguised busywork.
Leadership demands a different mindset. Leaders are not merely task managers at a high level; they are visionaries and strategic thinkers. The key question is: “How can leaders transition from being the main Doers to becoming strategic thinkers who inspire others to act with ownership and clear initiative?”
Here are three suggestions that will foster smarter, more effective leadership:
Focus on Outcomes, Not Tasks
A trap that leaders can fall into is thinking in “To-Do” lists. You determine what needs to be done, how to do it, and by when, then hand it over.
Instead, think in terms of outcomes:
What is the result you want?
What is the overall ‘big picture’ goal?
You give your team the chance to think independently, innovate, and take ownership when you define the outcome. They’re not just following orders—they’re producing results that match your vision.
Try this: Instead of “Draft this client proposal,” rephrase it as “Create a proposal that communicates our value and secures the client’s trust.” That simple change encourages creativity and responsibility.
1. Build Thinkers, Not Just Doers
Critical thinking is one of the best strategies effective leaders can pass along to their teams. When you find yourself always planning for your team, it’s a sign that it’s time to step back and show them how to plan on their own.
Have regular team meetings and review:
What goal do we want to accomplish?
How do we plan to achieve it?
What are the risks? What are the roadblocks?
By posing these questions rather than providing all the answers, you encourage your team to develop into proactive and strategic thinkers. Over time, they will start to anticipate tasks before you even mention them.
2.Make Room for Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking is your most valuable skill as a leader. When your schedule is full of meetings and tasks, there’s no real space left for you to think.
Set aside weekly time for focused thinking—no calls or emails—just space to reflect on the business, explore growth, address issues that are not working, and refine your vision. That’s true leadership time, not downtime.
When you make room for strategic thinking, you’ll find yourself approaching delegation in a new way. You’ll identify the right priorities, assign them according to team strengths, and communicate expectations more effectively.
Final Thought
When you become the Thinker - the visionary leader who builds other Thinkers - you create a business that runs beyond you. Wiser leadership starts with this simple shift: delegate thinking, not just tasks. That’s where the true momentum begins.