The Person of Last Resort

Welcome to the 109th edition of “In Touch”. As always, I would love to continue the conversation so please hit reply and let me know what you think.

Story of the Week: “The Person of Last Resort"

The best leaders ask themselves a simple but profound question: "Do people come to me because they have to – or because they want to?"

If they have to, it’s often out of fear – fear of making a mistake, of being reprimanded, of failing. But if they want to, it’s because they trust your perspective, value your guidance and seek clarity, not just permission.

The world is accelerating at an unprecedented pace – markets shift overnight, technology races ahead and customer expectations are rewritten in real time. These were among the insights I shared this week in Malta, where I had the privilege of speaking to more than 130 C-level executives about a force that shapes businesses, cultures and futures: Leadership.

At its essence, leadership is about setting a vision and upholding the values that anchor an organisation. But beyond that, true leadership is about empowerment – creating an environment where people have the confidence and autonomy to take action, even if that means making mistakes.

Yes, mistakes. Because when handled well, mistakes don’t derail progress – they accelerate it. They refine judgment, strengthen teams and pave the way for smarter, more resilient decision-making. The more psychological safety a leader cultivates, the more likely their people are to step forward, take ownership and contribute in ways they never thought possible.

And yet, in many organisations, decision-making remains gridlocked at the top. If every approval, every course correction, every problem lands on your desk, you’re not leading – you’re limiting.

A leader’s ultimate purpose is to become the person of last resort, not the first. When you’ve built a culture rooted in trust, accountability and collaboration, your team don’t wait for instructions – they take initiatives. They don’t hesitate –they own their choices.

And when that happens, something remarkable unfolds: the organisation doesn’t just grow. It thrives.

Because when leadership is strong, it’s just the beginning.

Words of Wisdom

“In the past a leader was a boss. Today's leaders must be partners with their people... they no longer can lead solely based on positional power.” Ken Blanchard

A Question to Ponder, dear friend.

Have you managed to become the person of last resort in your organisation? How has it affected you, your team and your business?