Welcome to the 9th edition in this “10 Leadership Superpowers” series, on the power of letting go. As a psychologist, I see this as a leadership principle, but also as a sanity-saver. Letting go isn’t about throwing in the towel, it’s about releasing your illusionary grip and trusting that things will work out (or at least not explode).
Letting Go as Mind Expansion
Many leaders think focus means clenching their mental fist and gripping tighter. But real focus isn’t about narrowing in, it’s about expanding outward. Imagine trying to catch a fish with a clenched fist. Exactly. Bruce Lee nailed it with “mind like water”—flowing, adjusting, and handling surprises without breaking a sweat.
Turning Inward: Release and Trust
Obsessing over every detail is exhausting. Holding on too tightly to mistakes, rigid plans, or specific outcomes just creates stress (and eventually grey hair). Letting go, on the other hand, is like finally exhaling after holding your breath for too long. Studies show that loosening the mental grip leads to sharper thinking, better emotional balance, and fewer nights staring at the ceiling at 3 AM.
At its core, letting go isn’t about giving up, it’s about trusting that you’ve set the right wheels in motion. It’s the difference between micromanaging every turn of the wheel and just setting the GPS and enjoying the ride.
Connecting Outward: Leading with Flow
Ever had a boss who couldn’t let go of a single task? It’s like being watched by a helicopter parent at work. Nobody thrives under that. When leaders step back and trust their team, people step up. It’s not magic, it’s just human nature. Give people space, and they’ll surprise you (in a good way, most of the time). Now ask yourself to what extent you are doing this to yourself: are you trusting your self? Are you trusting your inner leader? Or are you micromanaging, trying to control every twist & turn?
Letting Go as a Leadership Superpower
Letting go doesn’t mean you stop caring—it means you stop sweating the small stuff and focus on what really matters. Like a seasoned surfer riding the waves, a great leader moves with change, not against it.
Some Areas of Application
- Decision-Making: Release the need to control every outcome;
- Stress Management: Let go of overthinking, and create room for actual solutions;
- Leadership Presence: Loosen up, and people will want to listen to you;
- Team Trust: Stop hovering, and watch your team rise to the occasion.
The Freedom in Letting Go
Letting go isn’t about surrender—it’s about strength. It’s about knowing when to act and when to step back, when to push and when to allow. Leaders who practice the art of release don’t just reduce their own stress; they empower everyone around them.
So, take a breath, ease your grip, and watch what happens. The more you master the power of letting go, the lighter, sharper, and more impactful you become.
English 
Dutch