From Overwhelmed CEO to Empowered Team: A Journey Out of the Leadership Gap

Have you ever felt like you’re the bottleneck in your own organisation? You’re across every decision, every detail – and completely exhausted by it. As leaders, we often mistake control for strength, when real leadership lies in empowering the right people to share the load. This week’s podcast with risk and resilience expert Christine Miller reminded me just how critical that shift is – from running everything yourself to building a team that thinks, acts, and cares like a business owner.

From Chaos to Clarity: What Risk Really Means for Leaders

Christine’s story spans continents – from consulting with the World Bank in Asia and Africa to advising the Australasian Institute of Emergency Services. Yet, her message to leaders is refreshingly grounded: risk isn’t just about what can go wrong; it’s about what could go right if we’re paying attention.

Too often, CEOs only consider risk management in the negative. But as Christine explained, the real opportunity lies in identifying uncertainty early – before it becomes chaos – and empowering teams to act decisively. She shared how Kodak missed its chance to lead the digital camera market because leadership saw innovation as a threat, not a pathway forward.

The Leadership Gap: When You Know Everything, Your Team Knows Nothing

This hit close to home. For years, I equated leadership with having all the answers. But the end result was decision fatigue, slow progress, and a team afraid to step up.

Christine shared a story about a company that invited every staff member to submit cost-saving ideas – with a 10% bonus for anything implemented. One warehouse worker’s simple packaging idea saved the company millions. The takeaway: the answers are already in the room – if you’re willing to listen.

It’s a powerful reminder that empowering your team isn’t just about delegation. It’s about building a culture where everyone feels safe to contribute and knows that their input matters.

Turning Risk into Opportunity

The hospitality industry is a perfect case study for resilience. During the pandemic, businesses faced shutdowns overnight. Yet, those who weathered it best were the ones who saw crisis as a chance to reset – to rethink systems, refresh policies, and strengthen team trust.

Christine described how leaders who involved their staff in identifying risks, rather than dictating from above, often uncovered creative solutions no executive could see. It’s a reminder that risk management isn’t a document; it’s a mindset.

And yes, it’s messy. Whether it’s a blocked supply chain, an angry customer, or a global pandemic, the question isn’t “How do we avoid risk?” but “How do we lead through it?”

Empowered Teams Think Ahead

When you build a culture of ownership, your team becomes your greatest early-warning system. They’re the ones who see the patterns, sense the frustration, and spot opportunities first. Christine calls this “bringing people into the tent” – and it’s the single best strategy for closing the leadership gap.

Even small gestures, like asking frontline staff what’s working or what could go wrong, can create massive shifts. It’s not just about averting crises. It’s about creating a sense of belonging that keeps good people with you for the long haul.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uQpwKEkRt5Y
🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://www.michellepascoe.com/The-Michelle-Pascoe-Hospitality-Podcast

Resources & Links

• Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA) – rmia.org.au
• gov.au Risk Management Guides – business.gov.au
• ProSight Financial Risk Training (US/Canada) – prosightfa.org
• Contact Christine Miller directly – b4crisis.com.au

If you’re feeling the weight of leadership, start by inviting your team into the conversation. Explore Middle Management Movement, or book a strategy session to turn your team from overwhelmed to empowered.