Welcome to the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast Reverb, a conversation designed to help leaders go even further faster by digging deeper into this month's episode.

I'm your host, Susie Gray. Last week, Andy was joined by his executive assistant of nearly 30 years, Diane Grant, for a conversation about their partnership and how that relationship

can become a genuine leadership advantage. Today, we want to explore the changes Andy had to make

as a leader for them to get that high-functioning relationship they have today. So, Andy, let's start

with how you're wired. We talked a little bit about this with Diane.

You're an Enneagram 1, so is she.

And letting go of control, especially over personal things like your calendar and email,

probably didn't come naturally.

What was that process like for you?

Yeah, we talked a little bit about that.

But I'm glad we're coming back to that because the control

issue really is a thing. And my desire to control certain things became an obstacle for her

to be able to do her job. And you've experienced that with me as well. And so that's a big deal.

And I think that's worth reiterating because oftentimes leaders have not control issues,

but we're accustomed to being in control. And I don't like feeling pressured to make a decision

when I don't want to make the decision. I don't want to feel pressure to make a decision

based on somebody else's schedule, not my own. And there is a time and a place to slow down

the decision-making process. But I had to learn, okay, for super important things, maybe, but for most of the day-to-day things, or even the week-to-week things, Andy, just make a decision. And if I'm not ready to make the decision and it's not a big decision, just say, Susie, you decide. In fact, you've gotten emails from me

that just said, you decide.

And Diane has received email for me

that just says, you decide.

Or I'll just look at her and say,

...