Do Less and Think More
Navigating the path from individual contributor to leader is one of the most challenging journeys in anyone’s career. In this Leadership Jam Session, I welcomed Tracey DeSilva, Vice President of Learning and Development, whose experiences in healthcare, sales, and HR give her a unique perspective on managing teams and building trust. Here’s what we learned from her story and the invaluable lessons she shared on finding balance between doing and leading.
Trusting Your Team for Success
As Tracey transitioned into her first leadership role, she learned a pivotal lesson about relinquishing control. She quickly realized that the key to effective leadership wasn’t about doing the work herself but rather enabling her team to succeed by providing guidance and trusting their expertise. “Your way is not the only way,” her mentor reminded her—a phrase that has since influenced how she approaches team collaboration.
As Tracey reflected on her experiences, she emphasized the importance of building trust with her team by taking a step back, inviting feedback, and acknowledging others’ contributions. Through this, she realized that, as leaders, our role shifts from “bricklayer” to “architect,” creating an environment where team members can excel.
Empowering Managers to Lead, Not Just Execute
Another valuable lesson came as Tracey moved into a second-line leadership position. She initially announced a major incentive compensation decision to her managers without their input, intending to save time and avoid overloading them. However, this approach backfired, as the team felt excluded from a decision that would greatly impact their work.
Tracey explained how she now sees the importance of including managers in decision-making, even in time-sensitive situations. “If you include people in dialogue and decision-making, you’re fostering a sense of ownership and engagement,” she noted, stressing that leadership is not about control but influence and inclusion.
Balancing Perfectionism with Excellence
For Tracey, perfectionism was once an intense driving force—but it came at a cost. “Perfection is the thief of excellence,” she reflected, sharing how her relentless pursuit of ideal outcomes could often overlook the benefits of collaboration. Over time, Tracey has worked to replace her perfectionism with a focus on continuous learning and growth.
Her insights into how vulnerability has reshaped her leadership style were particularly inspiring. Tracey explained, “Being willing to say ‘I don’t know everything’ invites people to contribute, fostering an open culture where growth is prioritized over perfection.”
Developing Self-Awareness Through Reflection and Note-Taking
Tracey has adopted a weekly habit of note-taking and reflection, allowing her to capture and revisit thoughts and reactions to various work scenarios. She encouraged other leaders to adopt similar practices to make strategic decisions. “By taking the time to reflect, you’re less likely to repeat the same mistakes and more likely to make decisions aligned with both the team’s and organization’s values.”
Key Takeaways
– Transitioning from individual contributor to leader (00:35)
– The value of feedback and trust (01:03)
– Allowing managers to own decisions (05:54)
– Reflecting to balance excellence with perfectionism (11:07)
– Using influence over control in leadership (12:31)
Leadership Resources
How are the leaders at all levels of management tackling the toughest challenges each day? Learn more at: https://sartoleadershipgroup.com
About the host, Rob Fonte
Rob Fonte is the founder and President of Sarto Leadership Group, whose reputation has been built on being a transformational leader and inspirational coach with a passion for developing others. His twenty-year career spans across multiple disciplines including leading award-winning sales teams. Rob is an academically trained Executive Coach certified by The University of Texas and the International Coach Federation.