Most leaders spend far too much of their day answering questions, and Atiba De Souza believes that habit is holding businesses back. How much more progress could you make if your time went into vision and strategy instead of micromanagement?

Joining Maartje van Krieken in this episode, Atiba, a CEO strategist and team productivity expert, shares why he refuses to answer his staff’s questions and how that decision reshaped the way he leads. He explains why delegation skills matter more than many leaders realize, how empowered teams grow stronger when given clarity and autonomy, and why relying on ego to stay “indispensable” often leads to burnout.

This episode also takes a close look at AI leadership. Can technology actually raise productivity, or does it reveal the gaps in the way we already manage people? Atiba argues that delegation is the common denominator. If you cannot communicate expectations and outcomes clearly to your team, the same issues will surface when you try to delegate to AI. Both require vision, boundaries, and consistency.

The larger takeaway is that leadership is not about being available to answer every question. It is about creating the conditions where questions get answered without you. That starts with setting a strong vision, teaching people how to think instead of what to do, and establishing frameworks for accountability. For leaders, this means reclaiming time to focus on long-term growth. For teams, it means greater confidence, creativity, and ownership. And for organizations, it opens the door to scaling without the constant drag of bottlenecks and dependency.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Atiba De Souza: CEO Strategist & Team Productivity Expert

02:05 Why Leaders Should Stop Answering Questions

04:49 Escaping the Delegation Trap

05:12 Vision as the Core of Leadership

07:23 Empowering Teams with Autonomy

10:11 Teaching People How to Think

16:32 AI Leadership and Productivity Myths

19:02 Asking Better Questions with AI

25:06 Final Insights and How to Connect

Links

Connect with Atiba de Souza:

LinkedIn

Client Attraction Pros

Get Atiba’s Book: “The Delegation Trap”

Atiba De Souza is a CEO Strategist and Team Productivity Expert who helps leaders turn underperforming teams into high-performing, empowered organizations. Known as the “Business Ninja” and “Build Your Team” Guru, he delivers tactical strategies that remove delegation bottlenecks, boost efficiency, and streamline operations. His book The Delegation Trap offers a practical blueprint for leaders ready to elevate their teams. Beyond business, Atiba is a man of faith, a husband, and a father, committed to living the values he teaches.

Connect with Maartje van Krieken:

LinkedIn

The Chaos Games Consulting

The Business Emergency Room

Substack

YouTube

Host Maartje van Krieken is a crisis strategist and decision-making expert who thrives in high-stakes...