I can’t breathe

While your first inference from this topic would be Eric Garner, my focus is on leadership. Let’s look at leadership from the side of the led, subordinates.

P.S. “I can't breathe" is a slogan associated with the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. The phrase originates from the last words of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who was killed in 2014 after being put in a chokehold by New York City Police”. Source : Wikipedia 

Let me start with this question, “What is the secret to having a great team around you as a leader?”

Is it to have people around you that challenge you, or people that want the same things as you do ethically?

Here’s the answer from my leadership journey...
 

"In all businesses that seek to grow and impact, you will require a lot of innovation and creativity. 

It is therefore very important to give people enough space. 

Creative people need space. They need air to breath. They need freedom so that they can put their dreams into reality. 

Good leadership has a lot to do with giving people freedom, allowing them to breath. You have to create the atmosphere, culture and alignment with a common sense of purpose. 

Unfortunately, most “leaders” and organizations put people into little boxes, and tell them exactly what they have to do. 

On the contrary, you get so positively surprised at the outcome when you give people enough freedom, when you allow them to breathe. This has been my experience in the last 15 years, leading as a social entrepreneur.

So, Teju, if you truly desire to build a great team around you, or even better, a great enterprise, let your people breathe.