Stepping into the entrepreneurial world as a Purple Collar professional comes with its own set of challenges. When you first began your venture, you wore all the hats - from CEO to janitor. With success, however, comes growth and the inevitable need to expand your team.
Hiring your first employees can be an exciting milestone, but it also introduces a new role for you to navigate: management. You're no longer just the worker or the business owner; you're now a manager. This transition can be tricky, especially when you find yourself falling back into old habits and taking on tasks that should now be delegated.
We've seen many of our clients struggle with this shift. They know how to get the job done, and often they think it's quicker to do it themselves. While this might be true in the short term, it creates a vicious cycle where you're doing the work you're paying someone else to do. More importantly, it sets a precedent within your company culture that can lead to employees relying on you to pick up the slack.
To help you navigate this critical juncture in your entrepreneurial journey, we've put together some strategies to help you become a more effective manager:
Understand your team's workload: Get a firm grasp of what your team is working on, what's in the pipeline, and what's critical to your company's strategy. Knowing what can be dropped if needed is equally important.
Know your people: Understanding each team member's strengths and weaknesses will allow you to delegate appropriately, cultivating a learning environment where everyone has a chance to shine.
Harness learning opportunities: Use delegation as a tool for growth. Provide coaching and feedback to help your team develop their skills and knowledge.
Manage overstretching: It's vital to be aware when your team is overextended and manage it effectively. Don't be afraid to push back on your own workload, defer new assignments, or reorganize deadlines as required.
Remember, stepping into a management role is a journey, not a destination. It will take time to adjust, but with these strategies in hand, you'll be well on your way to leading your team effectively and growing your business successfully.