Independence as a skill is just as important as collaboration. Independent employees take ownership of their work, are comfortable making decisions, and take initiative. Here are five ways to foster independence in staff.

1. Give autonomy. The best leaders give their employees plenty of freedom. Workers should be able to set goals and decide how to meet them.
2. Encourage experimentation. Leaders should allow their employees to experiment and take risks. Ideally, the office culture should make employees feel it is safe to try new things, even if they don’t always work out.
3. Provide chances for growth. Offering training, assigning new and challenging projects, and creating opportunities for employees to take on leadership roles are all ways that managers can help their team members grow in experience and skill.
4. Offer feedback and recognition. Feedback helps employees see their strengths, as well as areas they need to work on improving. Recognition shows employees that their contributions are appreciated, creating feelings of goodwill and loyalty.
5. Lead by example. Leaders demonstrate the importance of independence by being independent themselves. They don’t micromanage; instead, they trust their employees to do their jobs and make decisions. Through their example, leaders can show that independence is not only accepted but expected.

For more advice, read “How the Best Leaders Foster Independence in Their Employees.”