🗂️ Let Go of the Legos: Why Delegation Makes You a Better Leader

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Some time management advice just makes you feel worse, like you’re not trying hard enough to “maximize every minute.”

That’s not how Elyse Mankin leads. As Head of Support at Attio, Elyse has built a planning system that’s flexible, human, and actually works. In this episode, she shares how she made the shift from overwhelmed IC to confident leader by rethinking her entire approach to time.

You’ll learn how to:
✔️ Build a yearly-to-daily cadence that actually sticks
✔️ Prioritize with clarity using the Rule of 3
✔️ Delegate without guilt using the Eisenhower Matrix
✔️ Coach your team’s time habits instead of dictating them
✔️ Say no in a way that builds trust, not tension

Her approach is thoughtful, realistic, and full of practical ideas you can start using today.

To skip the summary below and go straight to the source:

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The Problem: 

Stepping into leadership sounds exciting until your calendar turns into a game of calendar Tetris and your to-do list reads like a CVS receipt.

Many new support leaders struggle to transition from being a high-performing individual contributor to an effective manager. You’re still answering tickets, still jumping into the weeds, and still staying late because you haven’t figured out how to make space for… well, leading.

It’s a common trap: trying to manage your team’s time when you haven’t yet mastered your own.

The Solution: 

Here’s how this week’s guest made the shift, and how you can, too.

1️⃣ Recognize the shift from IC to leader

The first move? A mindset shift. Stop thinking like a doer, start thinking like a builder.

• Recognize that frontline urgency won’t structure your day anymore

• Recalibrate your value from execution to strategy and support

• Zoom out to see priorities and patterns, not just individual problems

2️⃣ Identify your time management pitfalls

Elyse works backwards from the big picture to the daily calendar.

• Start with a 3–5 year vision aligned with leadership goals

• Break it down with quarterly team retros using Start/Stop/Continue

• Double-check progress monthly: what’s blocked, what needs adjusting

• Stay flexible with weekly support syncs and 1:1s to catch micro-shifts

• Use those touchpoints to spot new needs before they derail the plan

3️⃣ Set a yearly-to-daily planning cadence

Implement a system that connects the big picture to the daily grind. From annual goals to quarterly focus, to weekly and daily check-ins, this cadence kept priorities aligned across their team and their own schedule.

4️⃣ Prioritize using the Rule of 3 and frameworks

Ditched the endless list and instead of juggling 10 priorities, focused on three.

• Choose just three core priorities each month, and actually stick to them

• Use the Eisenhower Matrix to decide what to do, delegate, or drop

• Block time for deep work, and leave space for inevitable reactivity

• Reassess your “top 3” as new info comes in, but don’t fudge the tradeoffs

5️⃣ Coach your team’s time skills, don’t dictate

Instead of mandating calendars, Elyse leads with questions.

• Start by naming the problem together, then co-create a solution

• Offer flexible tools like time blocks, to-do lists, or timers

• Adjust based on how each person naturally plans and works

• Let the teammate lead, then support with structure as needed

“Time management is a personal thing… What works for me might not work for someone else.”

6️⃣ Say no with clarity and curiosity

Elyse doesn’t shut things down—she opens conversations.

• Lead with curiosity: ask clarifying questions like “What’s the urgency?” and “What are the tradeoffs?”

• Say no clearly, but explain why it’s a no

• Use rejection as redirection by offering alternative opportunities

• Treat boundaries as a leadership tool, not a wall

• Normalize tradeoff conversations across the team

“I like to lead with curiosity… Help me understand the urgency? Help me understand the importance."

7️⃣ Build strong relationships and celebrate wins

Good time management relies on trust, and trust takes effort.

• Don’t forget the human part: relationships come first

• Ask how each person prefers to receive recognition, public or private, and keep track so it always lands the right way

• Create space for team rituals, shoutouts, and moments of connection

The Impact: 

Elyse’s team isn’t just more productive, they’re more grounded. With clear priorities, open communication, and space to grow, her team knows where they’re headed and how to get there. And when tough conversations happen, they don’t break trust, they build it.

This episode is for support leaders who feel stretched thin, stuck in the weeds, or unsure about how to coach their team without burning out. Elyse offers a practical, human-centered approach to reclaiming your time and leading with clarity.

Final thoughts

Great leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters, with intention.

You don’t need a color-coded planner or a perfect system to lead well. Start by getting clear on your vision, focusing on your top three priorities, staying curious, and building genuine relationships. Time management gets easier when your team knows where they’re going and trusts you to help them get there.

Catch the full conversation on this week’s episode of  Live Chat with Jen Weaver!

Keep Going:

🎧 Listen now and start focusing on what actually matters

📬 Get weekly tactical tips → https://live-chat-with-jen.beehiiv.com/

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👋 Connect with Jen → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-weaver/

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