The game of baseball provides an excellent analogy. If a team has a terrific base stealer, the entire organization is better if that individual is given the freedom to run. Naturally, there will be times when he is thrown out. Yet an accomplished base stealer will be safe 75%-80% of the time. Over the course of a season, this will result in more run scoring opportunities. Now, imagine how detrimental it would be if the manager stopped this individual from running for fear of him getting thrown out. The team's chances of success are diminished.

Another factor in this example is how the individual player is also affected by this decision. The more that he runs, even if he is thrown out, the more opportunities that he has to learn. He will be able to refine the craft of base stealing. If this is done over the course of 2 or 3 seasons, he will be more accomplished in this facet of the game. Individually, he will grow also.

Overall, unless someone is in grave danger of truly harming themselves, it is best to step back and let them handle things themselves. We can be there to provide guidance while sharing our experience. However, micro managing is not a technique that is proven to work over the long term. As was shown by the baseball analogy, both individuals and the entire organization suffers. Give people the freedom to learn and grow. Everyone is better served.

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