When the founding fathers wrote our freedoms into the books, they intended for everyone to have the right for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That certainly should include business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs! In honor of Independence Day, take this opportunity to stand back and take steps toward finding the freedom to be successful at work while having time for life by figuring out what’s holding you back.
Here are five of the most common issues business owners and leaders face – and suggestions on what you can do.
Improve Your Business Systems:
Business systems are an important part of creating and effective, efficient and profitable business. Many owners aren’t sure how to design a good business system or how to re-design the one they already have and that means the policies and procedures that allow for a well-organized and smoothly running business are often not in place. This can easily cause an “out of control” feeling. Focus on examining your business systems and making gradual improvements over time. Make sure to also find ways to pass small tasks onto other members of your business team. If your business is too owner-dependent, it can hold you back!
Improve Your Leadership and Delegation Skills:
Many business owners forgo leadership for doer-ship because they know how they want things to be done and, as a result, end up micromanaging their staff. Instead of delegating tasks, they act like employees instead of owners. You need to make sure you have a business – not just a hectic job! Make sure you take the time to delegate small and unimportant tasks and work on trusting others. If you can ensure those smaller tasks to your staff and managers, you can avoid headaches and find more freedom.
Change Doing to Accomplishing:
Trying to be a chief-everything-officer means you’re spending time doing things instead of accomplishing things. Activity is not the same as accomplishment. Business owners often confuse busyness with business. Working harder will not yield results unless they start working smarter. Revise your working strategies and delegate with your staff to spend more time on the important things and less time on busy-work.
Business Complexities:
As a business grows, it inevitably becomes more complex and complicated. When the proper leadership skills and business systems aren’t in place, those complexities can cause a great deal of anxiety. All businesses experience some level of growing pains and the best solution is to create plans for that growing and evolving nature of business. Sit down with a coach, mentor or fellow business leader to discuss what plans, steps and directions you’ll take as your business continues to grow. Being caught off guard on big decisions can be stressful!
Too Technical:
Many business owners got into owning a business because they are great technicians – they have a passion for a particular skill or trade. However, that doesn’t mean we’re all great business owners. Skilled technicians and doers have a tendency to stay in their comfort zones. They continue to perform the tasks of a technician – and not a CEO. It’s not technical skill, but leadership and strategic skill that makes a business run smoothly. Seek training or assistance to learn those important business skills that will help you be successful.
