The real hero move is making yourself less central, not more. It’s ensuring that when you step away, your team keeps moving forward — maybe even faster. It’s developing people so well that you don’t need to be in the room for the work to thrive.

So next time you catch yourself trying to be the hero, stop. Ask instead: How can I create the space for someone else to rise?

That’s the leadership story worth telling.

“How well can my team move forward if I’m not there?”

If the answer makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. Letting go is uncomfortable. But it’s the only way to build a team that doesn’t need a hero—just a leader who trusts them to lead.