Fight the Myth of "If you want it done right, do it yourself".

Do you live by the saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."? Most individuals who have experienced success based on their own individual efforts struggle to transition to delegating tasks to others.

This can be rooted in various beliefs. You may feel training others to do tasks correctly will take too long. You could be anxious about the cost of hiring great talent. You may also see your self-worth linked to what you produce and be uncomfortable taking on the manager role.

No matter the beliefs that are getting in the way of your delegating, deep down, you know the only way to scale your business is by reducing the number of tasks you are personally doing and investing time, money, and effort into building your organization's competencies.

Micromanaging versus effective delegating

Frequently, people who manage others opt for micromanaging instead of delegating. Micro-managing allows you to stay close to the work and leverage the hands of others without engaging their minds.

While micromanaging can allow you to get things done, it restricts your growth, leads to burnout, and contributes to employee turnover. Micromanaging is harmful because it does not engage the full person. It will lead you to treat employees like machines to be programmed and directed instead of humans who are resourceful, creative, and able to add incremental value to projects.

Instead of micromanaging, you can de-stress your life and expand your organization's potential by investing in delegation. Effective delegation is the key to growing the talent around you, working fewer hours, and achieving organizational goals. A disciplined approach to empowering employees can create a learning organization that builds new skills and competencies through continuous improvement. There are four steps to effective delegations.

1. Pick the right people

2. Define the task

3. Provide parameters

4. Monitor results

The time you spend executing these steps will reduce your need to micromanage and increase your comfort in delegating. Allowing you to dedicate more of your time to activities that bring you greater fulfillment, are more strategic, and generate sustainable growth for your organization.

Pick the right people for the right jobs

In his book Good to Great, author Jim Collins highlights the importance of having the right people in the right seats on the bus. This is essential to the success of any company. Your most important role as a leader is to surround yourself with talented people who can help you accomplish your company’s goals.

The first step in this process is to clarify what you are looking to accomplish and define the skills and experience that you believe are necessary for success. Once you do this, you can identify who can best support you in executing this initiative.

It is important to pick the right person to do a task. You want to identify someone with the will and skill necessary to succeed. If you currently do not have someone on your team who has the desired skill, then your focus has to be on adding additional people to your team or developing the skills of a current member who has the potential to grow in capabilities. Remember, team members do not have to be employees. Hiring contract workers, virtual assistants, or consultants are all great ways of expanding the capabilities of your team.

Define the task

Once you have selected the right people to work on an initiative, the next role of a leader is to define the task you want to complete. Start by linking the task with your company’s purpose. It is important to show people how the work they are being asked to do connects with the company's overall goals. This can help the employees to understand why the work you are asking them to do is important.

After making this connection, outline your expectations around the task. Communicate your desired end state. Clearly define what success will look like and when you expect the employee or team to deliver against that expectation.

Provide an opportunity for your employees to ask clarifying questions about the desired end state and the path from where they are today to where you want them to go. The time you spend upfront aligning on goals and the employees' path to achieve goals will reduce the number of questions you receive later in the process.

Provide parameters

Next, work with your employees to define the parameters for completing the task. You want to be clear in defining milestones, budgets, available resources, and any other constraints that would influence employees' actions.

You reduce uncertainty by aligning with employees upfront on what is permitted and what is not. The more clarity employees have on your expectations, the easier it will be for them to comply. You should document goals and parameters and verify that your employees understand their roles and responsibilities. This will prevent later questions about roles, responsibilities, expectations, and parameters.

Sometimes, employees understand what is expected but do not comply. When this happens, your focus should be on understanding what is getting in the way of the employee's success. Identifying competing priorities, skill gaps, mental blocks, and other obstacles will help you work with the employee to find solutions that support them in meeting expectations.

Monitor results

The final step in the delegation process is defining how and when you will touch base with your employees regarding progress. By defining and communicating milestones, you and your employees understand where projects should be at specific time periods.

This can reduce stress and drive accountability because employees know what to accomplish and when. If an employee is off track at the time of check-ins, you can provide course correcting advice to get them back on track.

If they have a problem they can not solve independently, you can conduct a root-cause analysis and help them identify solutions. Root-cause analysis may help you identify whether additional time, money, skills, people, or resources are needed to accomplish the given goal.

Summary

Time is your scarcest resource, and you can never get it back again once it is gone. As a leader, you must value your time and ensure that you allocate it in ways that benefit your organization most. The more time you spend doing things that only you can do and that are your strengths, the more of a positive impact you can make on your organization.

As the top person in your organization, you see things that no one else sees and can do things that no one else can do. You provide the most value when you can think strategically, selectively dig into details when needed, and coach, train, and develop your team to build their competencies.

Organizations are stronger when they leverage their employees' hearts, minds, and bodies. The best way to tap into the endless potential of your employees is to teach, train, and trust them to do the work that you hired them to do. Building a high-functioning team takes time and effort. The investment you make into selecting the right talent, defining the task, setting parameters, and monitoring progress will help you achieve more while feeling less overwhelmed.

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Thank you for reading this blog

Dorian Cunion is an Executive Coach and Business Consultant with Your Path Coaching and Consulting. He is a former retail executive with over 20 years of experience in the retail industry. He is a Co-Active coach who focuses on helping professionals and small business owners overcome insecurities, knowledge gaps, and lack of direction. He does this by assisting clients to tap into their values, recognize their strengths, and develop actionable strategies for growth.

Have you been trying to improve your career or business on your own but are not seeing success as fast as you desire?

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When to Quit Being an Employee and Focus on Your Business.

The American economy is undergoing a metamorphosis. A confluence of various factors is leading workers to explore entrepreneurship. Smallbiztrends.com reports that women-owned businesses have grown at a rate 2.5x faster than the national average, leading to 1.5x more women starting businesses than men.  Many women are shifting to self-employment because they aspire to have better flexibility in their schedules, more compensation for their work, and better alignment with their purpose.

A similar acceleration in launching small businesses is seen among people of color. Many BIPOC individuals are pursuing self-employment to have more control over their careers, greater advancement opportunities, and more earning potential. Over the last decade, there has been a 35% increase in minority-owned businesses, which might be causing you to ask yourself, “Should I leave my full-time job and go all in on my business idea?”  

The pandemic created a momentous shift in the relationship between employees and employers. 

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered the economic landscape, prompting employees to reevaluate the meaning of work-life balance and redefine career aspirations.

• CNBC reported that employees emboldened by a tight labor market in 2022, launched the “Great Resignation,” in which about 50 million people quit their jobs in pursuit of greater flexibility and more competitive pay.

• Forbes reports that many employees who decided not to leave work began “Quiet Quitting,” where they decreased their effort to the minimum required to maintain employment.

• The Economist reports that companies have reversed remote and hybrid work policies to reduce turnover, improve worker productivity, gain more control over how and when employees work.

• Under pressure to cut costs, Business Insider reports a 31% increase in job cuts among middle managers in 2023. Many of these cuts resulted from productivity improvements generated by the growth of AI and organization design flattening promoted by companies like McKinsey.

The convergence of all these changes has nurtured a class of workers who are experienced, disenchanted with their current working conditions, hungry for autonomy, and willing to venture into self-employment. Many are launching side businesses with the hopes that those businesses will eventually give them the wealth and freedom necessary to step away from their government or corporate jobs and be their own boss.  

Making money beyond the traditional 9 to 5.

Over the last five years, there has been significant growth in three types of entrepreneurial ventures.

• Rise of the Gig Economy: CNN reports that over 1 Million Americans are working in the “gig economy.” This includes freelance workers with companies like Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Upwork, and Instacart. These opportunities provide workers with great flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to generate additional income.

• Service-based Job: Forbes reports that professional and business services are two of the fastest-growing industries in America. As more companies look to outsource marketing, recruiting, employee development, and consulting, middle managers have more opportunities to leave W2 employee roles and establish 1099 and small business relationships with corporations, government entities, and non-profit organizations.

• Growth in Property Rentals: After a sluggish 2023, the National Association of Realtors predicts a rise in short-term rentals. Companies like Airbnb and VRBO make it easier for homeowners to rent out their homes, providing property owners additional income.

Recent shifts in the economy and business ecosystem have provided mid-level professionals with specialized skills, wealth, a home, or a vehicle the opportunity to generate income for themselves outside of the traditional 9-5. We are seeing the emergence of portfolio careers where workers have more than one stream of income, which, over time, allows them to make career decisions based more on personal fulfillment than financial survival.  

Taking the Leap: Planning for Success

Leaving the security of a salaried position demands a well-defined plan. The cornerstone of this plan should be a budget that outlines how much money you need to make to cover your personal expenses. In addition, you need to define the amount of money you need to invest to meet your business goals. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cites inflation, lack of access to credit, rising interest rates, employee hiring and retention, and supply chain disruptions as the most significant challenges small business owners face today. These challenges should be accounted for in your budgeting and planning process.

Most small businesses fail because they do not have the capital or people resources needed to bring their company value proposition to life. A detailed business plan, with clarity on the key partners, activities, resources, customer segments, channels, and relationships, will help you clarify what is needed to thrive. The 10% of new companies that last more than ten years do so because they clarify

1. Who they are?

2. What they do best?

3. Secure the talent and resources needed to establish a sustainable business model.

Prelaunch Check List:

There are 7 actions you should take before quitting your current job and pursuing your business full-time.

1. Leverage Company Training Programs: Participate in company-sponsored training programs to cultivate skills that contribute to your professional development.

2. Access Free Resources: Organizations like SCORE, SBDC, and many local economic development centers offer training, workshops, and mentorship that can help you develop plans and acquire the knowledge you need to launch and scale your business successfully.

3. Develop a Business Canvas: This is a one-page business plan to guide your strategy.

4. Personal Budget: Define how much money you need personally, assuming your business generates no income for the first six months of operations.

5. Business Forecast: Create an 18-month financial forecast, including projected revenue and expenses. Include a best-case and worst-case scenario.

6. Develop a Contingency Plan: Prepare for unforeseen circumstances by outlining what you will do if the worst-case scenario occurs—for example, securing a loan, borrowing from family or friends, or taking on part-time freelance work.

7. Build Your Support System: Develop a network of advisors, mentors, and peers who can provide guidance, support, and motivation throughout your entrepreneurial journey.
   

The Entrepreneur's Journey: Rewards and Challenges

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Many people start on the entrepreneurial journey only to later decide that they prefer being employees. If you try entrepreneurialism and it does not work out, you can always re-enter the labor market. Every new experience is an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and self-mastery. The best way to determine if you are ready to leave your current job and go all in on your own business is to do the prep work listed above. It will help you look at things from a big-picture perspective and consider the essential factors for success.

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As an executive coach and small business consultant, I guide small business owners and business professionals in achieving their professional and business goals.

Whether you want to start, transform, or improve your business or career, I can help you magnify your strengths, minimize weaknesses, identify threats, and take advantage of opportunities.

Let's talk about your goals.

Have Feedback  Send me a note at

Email: dcunion@yourpathexecutivesolutions.com

How to Make New Year's Resolutions that Stick: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself.

Are you planning on making New Year’s resolutions? Around 37% of Americans typically say they make New Year’s resolutions. This year, Forbes reported that fitness is the most common goal, with improving mental health and finances being the second and third most common resolutions. If you are looking to change jobs or start a business, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before making a New Year’s Resolution.

Why is this resolution important? 

The first question you should ask yourself is why this resolution is important.  In Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why, he explains how tapping into your why can help you find the motivation to do difficult things. Around 8% of people typically give up on their New Year’s resolutions within the first month of making them. Being grounded on why making a change is important can help you keep your resolution. I recently worked with a retail business owner looking to establish better boundaries with his employees. We discussed how establishing better boundaries would help him improve his relationships at home and give him more time to do things he enjoyed. He could push past discomfort and set better workplace boundaries by grounding himself in the anticipated benefits.

 

Who will support you in making this change?

The second question you should ask yourself is who will support you in making this change. In Professor Kay Milkman’s book How to Change, she talks about how important it is to have the right people around you when you are trying to change. One of the first questions I ask business owners looking to improve their business is who around them challenges them to evolve and grow. The people we interact with influence our expectations, thinking, and actions. When you spend time with peers, mentors, advisors, consultants, or coaches who can provide insight, guidance, role modeling, and support, you increase the likelihood of achieving your goals.

How will you position yourself for success? 

The third question you should ask yourself is how will you position yourself for success? In management consultant Jim Collins’ book Great by Choice, he tells of the importance of pacing yourself. He shares the wisdom of moderating effort to ensure that you can make consistent progress towards your goal. For example, last year, I worked with a consultant looking to increase their business through social media marketing. They were putting so much pressure on themselves to post every day that they hated to think about social media and would hardly ever post. We redefined the definition of good. Instead of setting the standard of good as posting 7 days a week, we aligned that posting at least once a week for a month would be good. By establishing a more realistic goal, he was able to reduce the stress related to social media posting. Eventually, he was able to work up to posting 3 to 4 times a week.  

Committing to resolutions can be challenging.  Applied Neuroscience Psychologist Dr. Hela Boschi states that our brains are wired to love routines and avoid uncertainty. Whenever you try to establish a new habit or make a life transition, you fight against learned behaviors, emotional triggers, and inertia. To overcome this, it is essential to start small, be grounded in why change is important, and seek out help from others. So, make your resolution, but also take the time to develop a plan and seek the support you need to achieve your resolution goal.

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