Intention and Delegation with Tom Heiser

Sep 28, 2025

Explore the dangers of false empowerment in leadership, where leaders hold answers while claiming to foster independence. Discover the contrast between transactional and transformational leadership, emphasizing accountability and growth. Learn how military principles like Commander's Intent can inspire teams while allowing creativity. Understand that over-measurement can paralyze performance, and recognize the diverse needs of team members—some thrive on autonomy, while others require clear guidance. This conversation is packed with insights for empowering effective leadership.

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ANECDOTE

The Inclusion Charade

Tom Heiser recounts a boss staging decisions that were already preplanned and calling it inclusion.
He called out the charade because being included but predetermined is inauthentic and demotivating.

INSIGHT

Inspect What You Expect

Transformational leadership forces people to grow by giving responsibility, not just transactional pay-for-performance.
Great leaders also inspect what they expect to signal importance and keep people honest.

INSIGHT

Power Of Commander's Intent

Commander's Intent lets teams operate within clear boundaries while allowing creative approaches.
Leaders often receive outcomes more powerful than expected when they grant this latitude.

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In this short segment of the Revenue Builders Podcast, John McMahon and John Kaplan are joined by Tom Heiser to explore the true meaning of empowerment, accountability, and intent in leadership. From the dangers of “pocket vetoes” to the military-inspired concept of Commander's Intent, this discussion unpacks how transformational leaders create environments where teams thrive. Listeners will gain practical insights on fostering trust, enabling decision-making, and avoiding the traps of transactional leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[00:00:58] The illusion of empowerment — why saying “you’re empowered” while secretly holding the answer is demotivating.
[00:01:39] Transactional vs. transformational leadership — the difference between “just selling” and growing through responsibility.
[00:02:23] The power of accountability — great leaders inspect what they assign, signaling its importance.
[00:03:25] Commander's Intent in business — lessons from the military on giving clear direction while allowing creativity.
[00:04:56] Different team dynamics — recognizing who thrives with intent versus who needs step-by-step guidance.
[00:06:00] The paralysis of over-measurement — how too many metrics can crush motivation and productivity.

QUOTES

[00:00:58] “There are very few things less motivating than being told you’re empowered, but realizing the leader already had the answer.”
[00:01:39] “You’re either in a transactional environment or a transformational one. Transformational management forces you to grow.”
[00:02:23] “Great leadership inspects what it expects. That accountability keeps people honest and shows them the work matters.”
[00:03:25] “Commander's Intent gives people the ability to operate freely within boundaries and often deliver more powerful outcomes.”
[00:06:04] “Leaders who measure by eight different ways paralyze their people—they can’t even get out of bed in the morning.”

Listen to the full conversation through the link below.
https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/empowering-leadership-persistence-adaptability-and-self-awareness-with-tom-heiser

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