Are You a Gate Keeper?

“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will eat forever.” – Lao Tzu

These quotes are timeless because they touch the very essence of what it means to lead, teach, and guide. Yet, too often, leaders and managers—those tasked with overseeing teams, departments, and processes—fall into the trap of gatekeeping knowledge. 

Rather than investing in the growth and development of the people they oversee, they hold tightly to the information and skills that could elevate others, fearing that empowering their team could, in turn, undermine their own position.

Why? 

Teaching and engaging someone means taking the risk of relinquishing control. It requires security in one’s own worth and contributions and recognition that true leadership is not about safeguarding one’s place at the table but about building more seats.

When leaders view their positions as with the mindsets of merely holding space for the next generation to thrive—something magical happens. They create a pathway for upward mobility, develop robust succession plans, and, perhaps most importantly, give their team members a profound sense of purpose. This is where the true transformation happens: when leaders actively choose to elevate those around them instead of becoming gatekeepers of progress.

Failing to train or develop our teams makes our organizations stagnate and limit their potential. And yet, when we see our role as a stepping stone, we create ripples of impact far beyond our tenure. We cultivate trust, nurture talent, and, ultimately, help break through ceilings that have kept so many from flourishing. 

We build what I call “bench strength”—resilience and readiness in our teams that allow them to excel long after we’ve moved on, retired, or taken on a new challenge.

Insecure leaders breed insecurity in others. But confident leaders? They are architects of legacy.

Leadership is not about hoarding power. It’s about empowering others.

If you are a leader—CEOs, CFOs, directors, or managers—you hold the keys to progress. It’s time to let go of outdated notions of competition and self-preservation. It’s time to share your knowledge, create space for development, and be the stepping stone that propels others into greatness. 

When you are no longer bound by fear and intimidation, you realize that success isn’t a limited resource—it’s a shared experience.

I’ll leave you with this:

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Yet, in that act, it creates an unending source of light. Be the candle that brings light to others’ paths and shines brighter through shared brilliance.