As our experience grows we have more confidence to listen to and accept challenges of others. However, leadership maturity is not merely that of the leader but also of the team. A new team with little experience and a low level of maturity as a team could be overwhelmed, while a group with more experience will have more to offer.

Risk is the final factor. We tend to limit involvement if we think the risks are high. For example, we would not usually encourage involvement if we were changing the way we managed controlled drugs in the dispensary.

We would simply spell out what needs to be done. However, if the risks are lower, for example looking at how we might arrange the dispensary more efficiently, we may choose to encourage more involvement. It is best to try to increase involvement of the team to some extent whenever we plan some change.

While accepting there are occasions when we must take more control, there is probably always scope to increase involvement.

Change is inevitable and to help it happen successfully and with limited stress, we should involve our team, give them time to digest it and support them as individuals as they go through it. When the team has reached its goals, then it's always time to celebrate success.