Episode 33

Delegation Done Right: Free Up 40% of Your Time Without Losing Control

Most leaders could free up nearly half their workload but refuse to let go. Why is delegation so hard, and what’s the cost of holding on too tightly?

Maartje van Krieken unpacks why so many leaders become the bottleneck in their own organizations. Fear of mistakes, trust issues, and the belief that no one else can do the job quite as well keep leaders trapped in a cycle of overwork and micromanagement. But real leadership isn’t about doing everything but about creating the right structures so decisions flow to the right people at the right time.

This episode offers an approach to delegation, from defining clear outcomes to setting accountability paths that ensure work doesn’t just get passed around but actually moves forward. Maartje’s “70% rule” challenges leaders to let go sooner, even when it feels uncomfortable, because holding out for perfection will only slow everyone down. In a crisis, the instinct to take control can be strong, but the bigger the challenge, the more essential effective delegation becomes.

If you’re constantly overloaded, it’s time to ask yourself: Are you leading, or are you just managing everything yourself?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Importance of Delegation

01:28 Why Delegation is Challenging

02:01 Leadership in High-Pressure Environments

02:45 Focusing on Outcomes, Not Methods

03:18 How to Delegate Like a Pro

03:28 Defining Clear Outcomes

06:01 Setting Clear Accountability and Escalation Paths

09:02 Using the 70% Rule

10:16 Tying Delegation to Decision-Making Frameworks

12:08 Decision Trees in Emergency Response