I’ve been called the “Fun Governor.” It’s not a compliment.

I’ve also been called Julie McCoy. Remember her? She was the Love Boat’s Cruise Director.

Yes. My family, close friends, and anyone who has ever traveled with me before, knows that I love to plan. Over plan, actually. And when we’re on vacation? I even have vacation goals.

So, imagine my surprise that the best holiday memory this year was when I let go of the wheel, literally, and let life happen. Let me explain.

I carefully curated a holiday gift my boys would die for – tickets to a Detroit Lions game. Everything was coordinated perfectly – seats, parking, meals, fan gear, and travel. And, believe me, if I could’ve micromanaged a victory over the Steelers, I would’ve been in Dan Campbell’s ear that entire fourth quarter.

But here’s what I didn’t plan for – the feeling of pure exhaustion I felt when the game wrapped up at 8:00 pm … and with a four-hour drive home looming, I did something surprising and called an audible.

I handed the keys to my 15-year-old (driver in training). “For real, bruh?” He’d been dying all day to get highway miles so he could drive 75 mph.  (Really, 80 – I knew he’d push it.)  He was blown away that I’d actually let him do it.  I then asked my older son to ride shotgun, who felt honored that I’d entrust him to coach and guide his little brother.   I let go of the wheel … hard. And then, from the backseat, I observed something amazing. No one needed anything from me.  They practically forgot I was there.   

My boys started taking over … everything.  They planned the route home, the gas stop, the late night “Oh my God, I need a burger” Culver’s detour, and they took over the radio.  And when Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” came on, and they were singing like their mom wasn’t listening?  Epic.  Hands down the best moment of the day … and absolutely nothing I could’ve planned for. 

Here’s what struck me: As the leader of our merry band, I had set the vision and created every condition for success. But the magic—the real connection and joy I’d been hoping to experience all day—happened when I let go and allowed them to be.

This is where I transition the message to you. 

How good are you at letting go?  It’s a challenge every leader faces – whether you’ve been promoted from individual contributor to manager, or even at the enterprise leader.  Or, do you have tendencies, like I know I do, to put a heavy, controlling hand over details – stifling both your growth, and the development of your team?

I get it – we all take pride in our leadership and we like every detail to be a reflection of our vision.  Yet, it’s such a beautiful mosaic when we can foster a culture of allowing and letting our team’s creativity, drive, and imagination take over.

That drive home crystallized what I call the “allowing phase” of leadership.  

Today marks your return from the holidays. You’re likely facing ambitious goals for 2026. Remember this fundamental truth: high performance is a team sport. You cannot achieve it alone.

Our responsibility is fourfold: set compelling objectives, build the structures that enable achievement, establish a cadence grounded in consistency and discipline, and then—this is the step that separates good leaders from great ones—step back and let the magic happen.

Make 2026 the year you master the art of allowing by letting go. Define the destination … and then trust your team to deliver outcomes that surpass what you could have scripted alone.

Sometimes the most powerful leadership happens when you’re in the back set.  You’ve set the course. You’ve prepared your people. Now watch them soar.

Let’s have a great year!