“I only want to have one job.” If this statement resonates with you, you’re not alone. As an owner and operator, you’re expected to wear multiple hats and be an expert in various fields such as marketing, sales, finance, operations, and HR. But being TOO involved in every detail of your company is NOT an efficient way to do business. It can bottleneck your growth and lead to stress and burnout. How do you avoid this pitfall?
Delegate!
Assign tasks to team members. Rely on experts in specific areas. Transfer a certain amount of decision-making and responsibility. You can accomplish so much more through your team when you trust and empower them. Effective delegation maximizes each person’s unique abilities and allows you to focus on your strengths and the strengths of your team members.
Feel overwhelmed? It’s time to start delegating!
Ask yourself: “Is this something only I can do? Or if I delegate this task, can I put the extra time that I gain into growing my business?” These are just a few of the tasks that may be keeping you from growing your business.
- Business functions or tasks that are not in your wheelhouse.
Find and empower the people who are excellent at those tasks. - Business functions or tasks you are not passionate about, even if you’re good at them.
You may be good with numbers but hate the tedious nature of bookkeeping. Hire a bookkeeper who loves it. - Business functions or tasks that you want your team to learn, so they can “learn by doing” and you can let go.
- Even when delegating small decisions to your team, be sure to clearly communicate the desired outcomes and give qualified team members the opportunity to take extra responsibility.
It’s natural to struggle with delegating. But remember that your team members crave the chance to grow. And building a strong and trustworthy team is essential not only to the success of your business but also to your quality of life. By training your employees to take on new roles, you’re not only helping yourself — you are boosting morale and creating a team that can take you to the top. Delegate tasks, focus on everyone’s strengths and build a dynamic team to help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship!
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Equipped with new skills and well-earned autonomy, team members will “likely feel more motivated and become more engaged with the organization,” says the Society for Human Resource Management.
Your skills as a behavioral therapist will help you make this a positive experience: “Successful delegators know when to cheerlead, coach, step in, step back, adjust expectations, make themselves available, and celebrate successes,” explains the Harvard Business Review.
