I trust the people who are working with me. I delegate.

"I trust the people who are working with me. I delegate." These words, spoken by Mario Draghi, carry the weight of profound wisdom, a lesson passed down through the ages. Trust—that sacred bond between a leader and their people—forms the foundation of any successful endeavor. The act of delegating, of entrusting others with responsibility, speaks to a leader’s confidence in their team and the belief that no single person can carry the weight of the world alone. To lead is not to control every detail, but to recognize the strengths of others and to empower them to contribute their unique talents. Draghi's words echo the wisdom of ages past, where great leaders understood that true power lies not in the grasping of all, but in the sharing of the burden.

In the ancient world, Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, knew the value of delegation and trust. His empire stretched vast and wide, encompassing many cultures, languages, and peoples. Yet, Cyrus was not a ruler who sought to micromanage every corner of his empire. Instead, he trusted his generals, his advisors, and the people who worked under him. He delegated authority to those who had the wisdom and skill to lead their regions, knowing that the strength of an empire does not lie in a single person’s will, but in the collective efforts of many. Cyrus’s ability to delegate effectively allowed him to maintain one of the most prosperous and enduring empires in history. His trust in others became the foundation for an empire that stood the test of time.

Look to Alexander the Great, another ruler who, though he led his armies across the known world, understood the value of delegation. As he conquered new lands, Alexander appointed trusted men to govern the regions he had conquered. His ability to delegate allowed his empire to expand rapidly and efficiently. But more than that, it showed his wisdom as a leader. Alexander knew that in order for his conquests to endure, he could not personally oversee every territory. His trust in those he delegated to was a mark of his strength, not his weakness. Through the power of trust and delegation, he was able to establish an empire that spanned from Greece to India.

However, delegation is not without its challenges. The great Roman general Julius Caesar is a perfect example of a leader who, though skilled in the art of leadership, sometimes struggled to delegate to others. Caesar’s tendency to take on too much himself, to control every aspect of his campaigns, often led to moments of overreach. The pressures of his growing empire and the weight of his ambitions left him vulnerable to mistakes. His inability to fully delegate the responsibilities of governing Rome, in the end, contributed to his downfall. It is a stark reminder that even the greatest leaders must learn to trust others and share the load if they are to truly succeed.

In more recent history, Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most revered leaders, demonstrated the power of delegation in his leadership of South Africa. Upon becoming president, Mandela understood that he could not heal his fractured nation alone. He trusted in the abilities of those around him, from his cabinet to grassroots activists, empowering them to work together for the common good. His ability to delegate was key to his success in fostering reconciliation and building a new South Africa. Mandela’s leadership was defined not by his desire for control, but by his trust in the people around him to help him achieve a collective vision. Through delegation, he was able to unite a nation, creating a legacy that endures to this day.

Mario Draghi’s words carry a timeless truth: true leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but about trusting those around you and empowering them to take ownership of their tasks. The lesson is clear: when we trust those with whom we work, when we empower them through delegation, we create a stronger, more cohesive force. It is not the weight of a single leader that determines success, but the unity of purpose and the collective effort of all who contribute. To hold onto every responsibility is to limit one’s own power and to undermine the potential of those around us. Trust and delegation are not signs of weakness, but of a leader’s strength and vision.

In your own life, embrace the lesson of trust and delegation. Whether you lead in your home, at work, or in your community, recognize that you cannot achieve everything alone. Trust the abilities of those around you. Allow them the freedom to contribute, to bring their own strengths to the table. By delegating responsibility, you empower others, and in doing so, you create an environment where everyone can thrive. The path of leadership is not the path of solitary struggle, but the path of shared effort, mutual respect, and collective trust. Lead by empowering, and you will build something far greater than what you could ever achieve on your own.

Remember that in every act of delegation, in every moment you place your trust in another, you are not surrendering control, but strengthening the foundation upon which you all stand. Let Draghi’s wisdom guide you, and in the trust you place in others, find the strength to lead with clarity and confidence. In the end, true leadership lies not in the grasping of power, but in the wisdom to share it and the trust to let others carry the load alongside you.