How Leaders Help Their Teams Fly: Trust, Transformation, and the Courage to Let Go

At some point in every organization’s journey, the work shifts. The “play” and “try” stages give way to something more daring — the “fly” stage — where the playground gets bigger, the stakes are higher, and trust becomes the air that keeps everyone aloft.

In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, we continue the Unfolded series with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring, authors of Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane. Together, they explore what it means for teams and organizations to fly — to step boldly into the unknown while trusting their people, their process, and their purpose.

“Trust the process and grow your palette for transformation. It’s not to be feared… even though it’s scary.” — Dr. Linda Schubring

Listen Now: Fly Part I

Recognizing the Big Playground

Chapter 4, the “fly” chapter in Unfolded, represents a moment when confidence and capability align — yet, as Linda points out, teams rarely realize they’ve reached this stage until they’re already in it.

“All of a sudden, the lights flip on, and the spotlight’s on you. You realize, oh, I’m in a different place. What we thought was flying was just practice.”

For many teams, “flight” means increased responsibility, greater visibility, or stepping into a project with an uncertain outcome. It’s the point when leaders must rely less on control and more on trust — both in themselves and in others.

Brian frames it as a shift from directing to empowering: “Let them lead. Let them influence. Let them be creative. By flight, we mean giving people permission to lead.”

Trust as the New Gravity

The Schubrings remind us that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens within supportive communities. But even support can become too comfortable.

Brian notes, “Sometimes, the greatest frustration I have with our work is people’s inability to shift their focus three degrees to the right to see the runway. It’s always time to fly.”

Linda counters with equal wisdom: “I don’t think it’s always time to fly. You can dream of flight, but first you have to rebuild and strengthen trust in a bigger, higher-stakes environment.”

Their dialogue highlights the tension between readiness and risk. Trust, they agree, is the essential lift that keeps teams in motion — the trust to take off, to make mistakes, and to grow from them.

What Flight Looks Like in Your Organization

Not every organization operates at the same altitude. As Brian explains, “Some environments are like grassy hillsides with paper planes. Others are regional airports or NASA sites sending missions to Mars. The key is recognizing the type of flight your team is built for.”

Leaders must ask:

1. What does flight look like here?
2. Who’s already flying — and how can we learn from them?
3. Who’s ready to fly next, and how can I empower them?

This practical mindset helps leaders tailor trust and responsibility to their team’s context, preventing burnout and building sustainable confidence.

“There’s a trust that threatens the familiar,” Brian says. “That’s the trust that elevates us to the next level.”

Celebrating Flight (and the Crashes)

Flying isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Teams grow stronger when they acknowledge their takeoffs, turbulence, and landings.

Linda shares that sometimes the simplest act of celebration is naming it: “Wow — we just flew.”
Other teams might debrief after a big project to reflect on what went well, what surprised them, and what they’ll carry forward.

Brian recalls a leader who recognized a team member’s “attempts at flight” — her risks, growth, and persistence — and made sure she knew she was seen. That recognition, he says, “kept giving her more chances to fly.”

Be the Eagle

Every great flight has a mentor watching from above — the eagle. In Unfolded, the eagle symbolizes wisdom and perspective. Leaders who play this role help others see how far they’ve come, especially when they’re too close to notice their own growth.

“The role of the eagle is to recognize when others are in flight. To reassure them that they’re meant to be there, and to remind them of the process that brought them there.” ~ Brian Schubring

Linda adds, “In the heart of every leader is a moment of the eagle — a time when we see people clearly and help them make sense of their new perspective.”

Reflections for Leaders and Teams

As you listen to this episode, consider these questions from the Schubrings’ reflection prompt:

• What does flying look like for our team right now?
• What does flying look like for me?
• How can we create the trust and courage needed to fly together?

The Fly stage is where vision meets reality — where your team’s preparation and trust translate into transformation. It’s a reminder that growth requires courage, faith, and often, a willingness to step off the ledge together.

Because when teams learn to fly, they don’t just rise — they lift one another.