Let Them

“Let Them”: A CFO’s Guide to Letting Go of Control

Just finished reading Mel Robbins’ Let Them which offers a simple yet powerful leadership lesson: stop trying to control others’ actions. For CFOs, this can feel counterintuitive. We’re trained to safeguard financial health, enforce policies, and mitigate risk. But over-involvement leads to micromanagement, not accountability.

Here’s the key:✅ Let them overspend. Let them miss a deadline. Let them struggle.

Not because you don’t care—but because you want them to own their decisions and learn from consequences. When you constantly intervene, you signal, “I don’t trust you.” Over time, this creates dependency instead of accountability.

“Let Them” isn’t about abdicating responsibility—it’s about setting boundaries and staying focused on what matters most. Instead of firefighting every issue, you empower teams to solve problems and take financial ownership. You preserve your energy for strategic leadership.

As CFOs, our goal isn’t to control every number—it’s to build a culture of financial accountability. By stepping back, we let others step up.

Next time you’re tempted to fix or rescue, ask: “What if I let them experience this—and coached them afterward instead?”

You might unlock more growth than control ever could.