Are You a Control Freak!?

“No one can do ‘it’ better than me.” Have you ever said that to yourself? Wonder why your business is not growing and thriving? “It takes so much time to train someone”. Well, yes it does, LOL. And it’s worth it. Entrepreneurs are control freaks. I am – you are – we all are. And that’s just the plain truth. When you spend time, money, resources – along with blood, sweat and tears – growing your business, it’s tough to hand any part of it over to someone else. So, you have a choice! For those of you who choose to stay stuck – you can stop reading right now. For those of you who want to grow your business, serve more people and make lots more money, then keep reading. This article is only for serious entrepreneurs – not hobby owners. Having just added new members to my business team, I want to share a few strategies that work: 1) Keep the lines of communication open – WIDE open! Whether you are adding to a current team, or hiring your first team person, it is critical and essential that you keep the lines of communication open. This is no time to keep your cards close to your chest. As I said recently to one of my high level clients: “When you do not share information with your people, they will make up information to fill the gap.” So, it is your job to have the vision, share the vision, and keep talking. 2) Share Job Descriptions in advance. First of all, HAVE job descriptions (or at least a list of responsibilities) created and share that with your current team members. Let them know why you are hiring, who you are looking for, what competencies will be added to the team and why. Work together on this. 3) Be prepared for some turbulence – mostly on YOUR part! It’s hard enough for your current team members to move over and ‘share’ – but YOU will feel the turbulence of the change, too. For me, I experienced a range of emotions at various points in time. It’s amazing how much control we want to keep even though we may have hired the best. Fear and uncertainty will definitely play a role as you begin to hand over parts of your business operation. After all – WHO could possibly do the work as well as we can??????? Well, the beautiful thing is that other people may just well have better ideas – experiences – perspective. Go figure! 4) De-brief often and honestly. This is not the time for secrets. I know it can feel uncomfortable to have other people with fingers in your pie – I really do. Go one step at a time – you don’t have to bring in new people and back off totally. In fact, I don’t recommend that at all. Phase in both the new people and the responsibilities. Test, test, test. What’s working – what’s not working? Have regular meetings and conversations and be honest and open. This can sting sometimes – get through that initial pain, strengthen the relationships and it will all feel better in the morning. 5) Stop with the Super-Woman syndrome. When you get very good at what you do in business, and you have a full practice of clients and customers and the revenue is coming in consistently – there’s just no way you can continue with the Super Woman Syndrome. You’ve got to give it up! Hand over the cape! The exciting thing is when you recruit and hire properly, you are going to be delighted with the way your business will grow and thrive with new people on the team. Get past your ego. Let go of control. Recognize you are human and the emotions are to be expected – but the benefits will far outweigh the regrets and worries. Entrepreneurs must be control freaks to a certain degree! That’s how things get done. But there comes a time when you just can’t do it all yourself – and when you don’t have all the answers. You are doing yourself and your prospects a disservice by hanging on to control everything. Let go and have faith…….have faith in your ability to attract ideal team members and let them shine. It’s a win-win for everyone. What would be the #1 benefit of letting go of your control freak? YOU get to do the work YOU love to do and that you are put on this earth to do. You get to position other experts to succeed in their passion. You better serve the clients you have and the clients you want. What could be better than that?