Working on top of license

To lead specialists well means to help them focus on delivering their peak capabilities.

I recently came across a term by Josh Bersin that resonates with me a lot: Helping people work 'on top of their license' (Link)

Here's what it means (quote): "Staffing at top-of-license means physicians and clinicians practice to the highest extent of their education, training, and experience. For example, a registered nurse would focus on complex patient care while a clinician with less training and education (who would also be less expensive) would take a basic patient-facing role."

In practice, this could mean that:

- a senior nurse focuses on complex care decisions, not routine tasks.

- a software engineer concentrates on making complex coding decisions.

- a teacher dedicates their time to teaching quality and curriculum decisions.

- a project manager oversees strategy and risk.

Leading in this manner then involves two key aspects:

1. Structuring Roles for Top Expertise: First, structuring their role to prioritize decisions and tasks that utilize their full expertise.

2. Empowering Decision-Making: Second, giving them autonomy to make decisions within their scope, respecting established boundaries.

Particularly for the second aspect, a leader's coaching mindset and skills make the difference. I have seen so many times how tempting it is for Leaders to interfere with others' decisions. However, the 'top-of-license' principle applies to us as well: We should also work on top of OUR 'license' as a Leader! This likely means focusing on higher-level strategy work, rather than making decisions for those reporting to us.

Consider this: What aspects of your work truly reflect the pinnacle of YOUR own 'license'? What are the tasks that only YOU can and should do, by virtue of your role?

I am curious to know. Feel free to reply and write a few lines. I WILL respond:)

Have an impactful week ahead!