This question and answer series of articles provides scenarios for business owners to find answers to business frustrations. Today we talk about being the “Captain” of your business.
I always have a flurry of questions around time – specifically that it seems to be in short supply. “I never have enough time to do everything I have to do.” “I seem to spend my time at everyone else’s beck and call.” “I could do with an eight day week and then I might keep up.” And the most common theme is “There’s so much to do and I’m the only one here who can do it. No-one else knows what to do or how to handle tricky situations/clients.” This is really the nub of it.
And you know I believe every one of you. No-one else knows how to do it. So whose fault is that? And would that be the main reason they are always interrupting you with questions? Did you employ them because they were not smart? I doubt it. Give them some credit. If you learned how to do it, I’m sure they can too.
Examine the interruptions and what is the root cause. More often than not you will find the issue is one of a lack of training and delegation. And confidence. Show them you have confidence in their decision making abilities. Help them get into the habit of prioritising their questions and ask them to develop a solution to the issue before they come to you. Gradually those interruptions will become fewer and your staff will be happier, knowing they can get on and do what you have employed them to do.
Q: I have a pretty good team who can handle most things, but I feel guilty if I’m not working as hard, if not harder than them and setting an example.
Thank you for this question. It gives me a chance to trot out my favourite analogy. On a ship you expect to find the captain on the bridge setting the course and taking responsibility for the ship as a whole and the safety and security of the crew. You do not expect to see him stoking the boilers and pumping the bilges (and other such nautical expressions). Sadly, in the ship of small business, that’s where you are most likely to find the captain, while the crew look on. If you ask them why he or she is doing what they are doing, you’ll get answers like: “He says he’s the only one who can do it.” “I don’t think she trusts us to do it.” “She has never shown us how to do it.” “He says he’s always done this and likes to get his hands dirty.”
So back to the ship. Will the crew respect the captain less if he doesn’t work in the bowels of the ship? No. They know he has paid his dues and done all the hard work as he or she has risen through the ranks. Get over the guilt by concentrating on where you want your ship to go and how you are going to get it there. And how you are going to get it there with a healthy and happy crew who understand their role and accountabilities.
Watch for Part Thirty-One of the Q & A series…coming next week!
Until next time…
P.S. Learn more about working ON your business–talk to the coach! Click here to connect with me!