12 Jan How to Stop Micromanaging & Delegate Well
As a business owner, one of the hardest things you can do is take a step back and trust your team to do the work at hand. The reality, however, is that it is one of the healthiest things you can do, for yourself and your business as a whole. It is important, if not essential for growth and personal evolution, that you can delegate tasks. And this starts with relinquishing control – a tough pill to swallow, we know. But in doing so, you will quickly realize the impact of successful delegation on your business. As well as the happiness and drive of your employees. It is one thing to ask for help. It is another to actually receive it in a way that best supports your goals. Take the first steps when you learn how to stop micromanaging and start to delegate well!
Focus on the Outcome you Want
If you’ve established that you’ve had issues with micromanagement, then ask yourself: Have I been able to focus on the bigger picture? Chances are the answer is “No”. When you are hyper-focused on your to-do list, it’s easy to lose track of your bigger goal. This is what happens when business owners find themselves always working in (micromanaging) their business vs working on their business (and enjoying your life!). If the idea of delegating tasks or projects to your team brings up a lot of anxiety – take a step back and consider the cost. Also, get curious about how this pattern serves you (hint: it has made you feel safe in the past) and how your life has evolved. Didn’t you build a team to grow your business or create more freedom? Does micromanaging your team or projects, align with the life you want? Focusing on the life and business you ultimately want to create helps you see how this doesn’t serve that.
Schedule Regular Check-ins
Bottom line: It’s more challenging to effectively delegate if you don’t know the status of current projects. Or don’t feel confident in your team or ability to direct people. As you shift to more delegation, setting aside time for a regular check-in, can seem like a waste of time. It is faster to just do it yourself. But in the long run, you’ll realize that you are building the systems and processes to support more delegation and build confidence – around your team and yourself. This can be as simple as a weekly meeting to review existing workflow or timeline. Scheduled, regular check-ins give everyone a clearer picture of the status of projects and potential problems. It’s also a baby step for you in breaking the pattern of micromanaging.
Let Mistakes Happen
Mistakes are only bad if you treat them as such. They are going to happen – and if you think you can prevent them, you will continue to be trapped by your business. They also reveal holes in your business & processes that can be improved. The best way to figure out problems in your systems is to remove yourself. You will only be able to relinquish this need for control (and all the stress the comes with it) when you shift your mindset toward progress. Every mistake is an opportunity for growth – our brain actually expands on failure. Instead of fearing failure, look forward to these opportunities for new innovations that will improve your team’s workflow.
Lastly, throughout this process take note of all the internal narratives and any resistance that come up. The stories you tell yourself about how it should or has to be done. These can be discussed with your coach or mentor to overcome your issues with micromanagement. We micromanage because control makes us feel safe BUT it also ties up A LOT of our energy and keeps us stagnant. Your business will grow when you do the work to grow yourself!
At Path & Compass, our goal is to help business owners create a life and work that feeds their souls. And sometimes that means hiring a business coach, who can help you shift away from bad habits – like micromanaging – and provide a safe space to talk through the challenges of owning and growing a business. If you need help finding a direction, with a step-by-step plan, visit our website to book a consultation with Krista!