"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it."
Delegating Authority
The Mature King knows he can't do everything himself. At some point, the realm gets too big for one pair of hands. He has to put real power into other people's hands and trust them to use it well, even while he stays on the hook for how things turn out.
The Tyrant cannot delegate. He must control everything because he trusts no one. He micromanages and undermines those he claims to empower. The Victim abandons rather than delegates. He dumps responsibility without accountability, then blames others when things collapse. The Mature King delegates with both trust and accountability.
Good delegation comes down to six things: picking the right people, being clear about what you need, giving them what they need to succeed, letting them actually make decisions, checking in without hovering, and coaching without taking the work back.
Choosing the right people: The King finds those with skill and character to handle authority. He seeks alignment with the realm's values, not just technical ability.
Clarifying expectations: He defines what must be done, why it matters, and what success looks like. He sets clear boundaries around the authority he's granting.
Providing resources: He makes sure people have what they need to get the job done—training, tools, budget, time. Setting someone up to fail is worse than never delegating at all.
Granting real authority: He gives people power to make decisions and take action within their domain. He doesn't second-guess every choice.
Keeping accountability: He creates clear checkpoints and metrics. He follows up. He holds people accountable for results while supporting their growth.
Supporting without rescuing: When people struggle, he coaches and supports them. But he doesn't reclaim the work or do it for them. He lets them learn through challenge.
Delegation isn't just a way to clear your plate. It's how you grow people. Every time you hand someone real responsibility, you're investing in who they become. The King worth following doesn't just build a kingdom—he builds people who can run things when he's gone, a team that doesn't fall apart without him.