Pass the Torch: Why Letting Others Lead Is the Best Move You’ll Make

Change happens when other people lead.

If you are building a space where you want people to join in with you, at some point it is going to be a wise move to find your leaders who can have their moment at the front. This article is for you if you want long term success in community building.

It may feel uncomfortable getting to hand responsibility over to other people. For a selfish reason, it takes the attention away from you and all the work you’ve done to get to a stronger place, you want people to see that. However, what once felt risky becomes second nature.

When everything is on the few, it can become damaging. 

This is where many communities hit a road block. So much emphasis is on the people who started the community or initiative. They carry the community, as well the delivery.

For instance, you only know what you know and you can’t be an expert in every field. The danger for communities is that delivery becomes formulaic. This is where churn arises, as the value people are receiving is diminished by repetition of ideas and content. People take what they need, we move on.

This has been a concern for me. People decide to commit based on the attachment to a person, but we don’t need to create fan clubs. On the other hand, the value a group brings to someone’s life or work is important. This could mean the boost of ideas, connectivity and opportunity.

I have seen it work this way:

— People decide to commit

— Commitment is rewarded with visibility 

— Visibility builds reputation (within and outside the community)

In 2024 YATM ramped up the decision to delegate. For instance every Lunch Club has been hosted by different people, YATM Creator Day is started by others from the community and people are leading sessions in YATM Club. It has worked.

This is because the platform has been built over the years, there are people connected to YATM (subscribers, attendees), an audience who buy in and an environment that feels safe (people are on the same team). In our membership space, ideas have been shared from other people and these have turned into sessions. These sessions become routines. 

The monthly Sense Check sessions introduced by Ben McKinney has been successful. This format was developed because Ben recognised that his best ideas come to him when he is out and about, but he often doesn’t get the chance to share them. As a result, these sessions have become a ritual within the Club, allowing members to save time and make adjustments to their intentions.

A sustainable community supports a flat hierarchy where attention isn’t solely on one person.

Handing control to others can be daunting, but it’s a necessary step for growth.

Here are five actionable steps to help you empower others to lead while maintaining the core values of your initiative:

Set Clear Expectations Without Dictating

Create a framework that outlines the purpose and desired outcomes for what you want to do without stifling creativity. For example, define the values or goals of the event—such as encouraging collaboration or getting to know more people—while allowing people to interpret and implement in their own way.

This ensures the essence of your community idea remains intact while giving people the opportunity to express themselves freely.

Match Opportunities with Strengths

Recognise the talents within your community and assign roles that align with those strengths.. For instance, if someone is great at storytelling, let them host a panel discussion. If another thrives on creating connections, task them with leading interactive segments.

Matching responsibilities to abilities not only ensures success but also boosts confidence in the people taking the lead.

Provide the Right Tools and Support

Don’t just hand over the reins—offer guidance. People need to see you are invested in the process. This might include providing a schedule or mentorship in areas such as hosting.

By equipping people with tools and support, you reduce the stress of veering into unfamiliar territory. For instance, I want people who are leading a Lunch Club that the sales and attendance are being managed. People shouldn’t have to face additional pressures.

Celebrate Milestones, Not Perfection

Shift the focus from execution to progress and learning. After each event, acknowledge the effort and highlight what went well. People still need to feel enthusiasm after an event.

Celebrating milestones reinforces a sense of achievement and motivates people to continue stepping up and feel a part of the whole effort.

Create a Culture of Shared Ownership

Work on an environment where leadership is seen as a shared responsibility rather than a solitary task. When people see their peers taking the lead, it normalises participation and you start to see a ripple effect of involvement.

You have to recognise leaders publicly and involve them in planning future events to show that their contributions matter and are valued.

Allowing other people to lead isn’t about relieving yourself of responsibilities; it’s about ensuring the longevity of your community. By giving people the opportunity to take charge, you create a platform where they can grow or have a boost in confidence. It also means that the community has a better chance to progress and continues to thrive in fresh and meaningful ways.

In 2024, I learned that handing the reins to others isn’t just about lightening the load—it’s strengthening the community.

No community can survive on the energy of one person. Over the years I have experienced burn out, purely for the fact that I took so much on myself. When you deliver everything, it becomes draining and losing that spark can affect you and others around you. No one wants something they have worked hard for stagnate.

Here’s how we’ve nurtured leaders within the YATM community. A process shaped by years of learning and experimentation. 

This is what I know works, by taking this from a singular effort to the involvement of many. This approach ensures your contributions are recognised for years to come.

1. Create an Inviting Space

Build a space where people genuinely want to be—a welcoming environment that resonates and feels enjoyable.

2. Deliver Consistently

Regular events and clear communication establish credibility and foster trust, meaning people know they can rely on you.

3. Foster Familiarity

Over time, as connections deepen, people naturally make themselves known. Familiarity builds confidence and a sense of belonging.

4. Hand Over Opportunities

When the time is right, let others step up and take their moment in the sun. Empowering others to lead creates a ripple effect of growth and shared ownership.

Ultimately, trust is the cornerstone. When trust is built, what once felt risky transforms into an opportunity for collective success.

Allowing others to take the lead doesn’t mean stepping back completely; rather, it involves stepping aside when others are ready to take charge.

One of my ambitions for 2025 is to allow others to take ownership of YATM in the live space and adapt to the personalities and regions in the UK.

I have seen the collective energy of people stepping up, taking charge, and adding their unique strengths to the mix. Those who lead sessions in YATM Club, Lunch Club and Creator Day don’t just fill a gap, they add new layers of depth and energy that couldn’t come from one voice alone.

As a community evolves, so too does your role. 

You’re not losing influence by sharing responsibility; you’re amplifying it through others. Leadership isn’t a limited resource—it’s a multiplier.

Power lies in the people who step forward, inspired by the foundation you’ve laid. If you truly want your community to outlast you, make space for others to lead. That’s the legacy worth leaving.