How to stop micromanaging and become a better leader

Do you have a tendency to micromanage even when you know you shouldn’t?

If so, you’re not alone.

This problem is incredibly common.

What may have once been a virtue has now become a vice.

You probably, at one point, were a one-person show... and you did EVERYTHING.

But now you have a team of employees (or contractors)...

And it feels impossible for you to manage it all.

There are two main factors in overcoming the tendency to micromanage:

The first factor involves developing a more ‘detached’ mindset.

Michael Singer’s book, The Untethered Soul, covers this concept well.

The following line from the book probably sums it up best…

“We’re just a speck of dust on a giant ball circling one of a billion stars in the galaxy.”

^^ Once you ‘get’ this…

You will start to let the little stuff go.

(It's a process. Keep at it.)

The second factor is through becoming a better leader.

This is covered in books like How to be a Great Boss, by Gino Wickman, where you learn to delegate.

I highly recommend you read this book (and have any other leaders on your team do the same).

For example…

If you own an accounting firm and have a General Manager, a Chief Accounting Manager, and a Finance Manager — start a little “book club” and coach your key team members on coaching other team members.

Read a couple of chapters, do a study group session, and you’ll all get better.

In addition, it’s helpful to role play leadership and meetings, just like you role play sales calls.

Finally, if you want to stop micromanaging and getting caught up in day-to-day tasks, then simply…

Make a public commitment to your team that you are “no longer going to be involved in work that belongs to others.”

Because you have trained them and you trust them.

For example, most of us, except for absolute beginner start-up one-person shops, should commit to never uploading videos again. Period.

We all need more parameters like this in our life.

So make some commitments now:

- I will never take packages to UPS.

- I will never sweep the floors.

- I will never edit my videos.

- I will never cut my lawn.

(Or whatever else makes sense for your business and life)

Doesn’t that feel good to say?

Put the parameters in place…

Build the necessary systems…

And you will find freedom!

Success Loves Speed,

Craig

PS - If you’re ready to 2X your income (or more) while working 10 less hours per week...

... Just REPLY to this email with the words “2X 10 LESS” and we'll set up a time to chat with you to find out if we can help.

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