Article 6 • 26 Jan

Early in my career, I thought strong delivery meant control. Clear plans. Tight tracking. Immediate escalation.

At smaller scales, that works. But as programmes grow — across regions, vendors, regulators, and leadership layers — control stops being scalable.

What replaces control is trust

Not blind trust. Earned trust. Trust built through:

• Consistent decision-making
• Predictable communication
• Following through when things get difficult

In senior delivery roles, you’re rarely the smartest person in the room on every topic. Your value comes from creating an environment where smart people can deliver without fear or confusion.

What trust-driven leadership looks like

• Backing teams when decisions are reasonable — even if outcomes aren’t perfect
• Holding the line on standards without micromanaging execution
• Knowing when to step in, and when to let leaders lead

The irony of senior delivery roles

The more senior the role, the less visible your “work” becomes. But when delivery holds under pressure — when teams stay aligned during uncertainty — when programmes move forward despite complexity — that’s the work.