Master a Mindset of Business Expansion
Most of the work I do with my clients is tactical - providing structure, planning and execution, and putting systems in place. But when it comes to hiring, delegating, and expanding, there are emotions that come along with these types of choices for your business. Before you hire someone, it’s important to master a mindset of business expansion.
My clients are smart, capable business owners, and yet many of them struggle with taking this step. It’s not the delegating that throws them off, it’s giving another person some of the control. They are not prepared to shift into the role of “the boss”. To really benefit from hiring someone, they need to trust them with their clients, their work, and their business.
Here are some of the mindset adjustments I help my clients with:
Minimize Perfectionism with Systems
The fear of losing control is a real obstacle for some business owners.
When you establish clear systems, you’re also establishing boundaries. There’s always wiggle room for someone to do things differently than you would. But with systems in place, there are existing guardrails for your staff, which allow you to do the work you do best and for them to do what you’ve delegated. Focus on results, not the process. Micromanaging is “small energy.” Avoid it where you can.
Handling Communication
Productive and healthy communication is what keeps things moving. As the business owner, you will have to set expectations, give respectful but honest feedback, and provide encouragement. There will be difficult conversations, but the goal is to have as many productive ones as possible. When starting a discussion, keep your eye on the results you want from the conversation. Regular meetings with agendas will help you create consistent and effective communication.
Delegating is a Worthwhile Investment
Hiring someone is not an expense, it’s an investment in proper time management. The person you hire is giving you back time by doing the things that you aren’t good at, the things that slow you down, and take up way too much of your time. When you are relieved of these things, you are free to bring in more revenue.
Feeling Comfortable Taking Someone Behind the Curtain
Even if you are a business strategist like me, there are going to be some things in the back end of your business that could be running more smoothly. Now your new employee will see it. But isn’t this one of the reasons you hired them? You can’t do everything 100%, one hundred percent of the time.
Yes, you’ll have to find the right person, and then you’ll have to take the time to train them, but then you’ll have the support and assistance you need to keep your business moving forward.
You Make the Decisions
Worried about what you will do with all of your newfound free time? I’m pretty sure you will fill that time with tasks that are growth and scaling-focused. Maybe you’re concerned about what people will say if you can work fewer hours or take an extra vacation, or if they see you enjoying a leisurely weekday lunch. It’s none of their business. You get to decide what you do with your time.
Your business can’t grow faster than you do, and mindset is a key factor for personal growth as a business owner. You don’t have to do it alone, and you shouldn’t. I help many of my clients decide on who they want to hire and what they want them to do. Let’s set up a time to talk about what you and your business need for growth and scaling.