We all play multiple roles in our lives. We may be business owners, parents, spouses, friends, siblings… and the list goes on. And for each of those roles, there are endless sub-roles underneath them! If you’re a parent, you’re probably used to being a chauffeur one minute and then a chef the next.
It’s the same for those of us in business— we need to be marketers, engineers, designers, and everything else all at once. So, with so much on our plates, how are we meant to be doing everything?
This article explains why doing everything is one of the least helpful things you can do, and how to break free of this mindset. For personalised advice for HR founders, contact our team at MindAbility today.
Why Doing Everything May Be Damaging Your Business
It may be a controversial view, but it’s completely valid: If you’re doing everything, it can become the nail in the coffin for your business.
To realise why you shouldn’t be doing everything, think of why you started your business in the first place. You wanted to make a difference, right? You wanted to do things differently to how others were doing it, to improve and streamline processes, to help everybody else realise that the original way of doing things isn’t always the best.
Most HR consultancy founders and those in the people space— whether they be a recruiter, an executive, a coach, or somebody in allyship or diversity and inclusion— set their business up because they wanted to make a difference.
If that’s you, then why are you spending hours every day doing all the mundane things? Let’s face it— you don’t enjoy them, and quite frankly, you’re not as good at them as you wish you were. These factors, among others, lead you to take much longer doing these things than they would take somebody with specific experience in that task.
Why Shouldn’t HR Consultants Try To Do Everything?
When it comes to HR, the same principle applies as it would to anybody else within a business. You know that it’s simply not possible for one person, or even one team of people, to have expertise in every single area of HR. So don’t try to act like you’re the outlier!
Every area of HR requires specific knowledge, whether it’s in retirement, compensation, employee relations, training and development, or any of the many other areas. Along with that knowledge, the person or team within each area needs certain skills and experience. None of this can be mastered by one single person or even one single team, which is why diversification is key.
Not to mention, as a HR founder, you have to be an expert in running a business, not just HR! You’re a manager, marketer, bookkeeper, customer service officer, salesperson… the list goes on.
If you attempt to do everything, you’ll burn out— fast. This can lead to poor performance and therefore poor results. It can also affect your mental health significantly, which in turn can play a large role in just about every aspect of your life. Doing nothing can have a serious impact – so don’t risk it.
Anybody who spreads themselves too thin will find themselves lacking focus and attention to detail. They may also take on responsibilities or projects that are outside their scope of work or their abilities, and may lead to people who are unqualified taking on roles that they shouldn’t. Whether qualified or unqualified, this leaves the business vulnerable to errors and inefficiencies, and even legal liabilities (especially for those who are unqualified).
Therefore, it’s essential to identify your strengths and areas of expertise so you can focus on these areas and aspects. Open yourself up to collaboration with other professionals or consultants who have skills or experience in areas that you don’t, and offer yours in return. By working together and leveraging off each other’s strengths, you’ll be rewarded with high-quality, specialised services you can offer throughout the business.
So How Do I Not Do Everything, But Still Get Everything Done?
Try the following:
Just for a couple of weeks, grade everything on a scale of 1 to 5.
1: This task must be done today— no ifs, ands, or buts.
2: This needs to be done within 24 hours.
3: This task needs to be done this week.
For 4 and 5, you can immediately begin to outsource tasks in these categories to people who enjoy and are good at the assigned tasks. They’re less time-sensitive than the tasks in 1 to 3, so it’s likely you’ll be able to feel calmer with a plan in place for them.
This way, you can give yourself your time back so you can focus on what it is you excel at, and make the impact you’ve always wanted to.
Remember that asking for help isn’t a weakness. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: It shows that you value your time and others’, and that you place worthy significance on everybody’s unique skills.
Help! I Find It Difficult To Delegate.
You’re juggling a million things at once, and it can be tough to let go and delegate tasks to others. But why is that?
Well, for starters, you may feel like you’re the only one who can do things the right way. You’ve got a certain vision for your business, and you don’t want anyone messing with it. And let’s be real, who can blame you? It’s your baby, and you want it to thrive.
But here’s the thing: you can’t do it all alone. You need to build a team of reliable, trustworthy, and capable individuals who can help you take your business to the next level. And that means delegating tasks.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But where do I even start? How do I find the right people for the job?” It’s a valid concern, but it’s not an excuse to keep doing everything yourself. You can start small and delegate small tasks, and gradually build up to more important ones as you gain trust in your team.
And let’s not forget about the fear of losing control. It’s understandable, but it’s not a reason to hold onto every task like it’s a life raft. Delegating tasks doesn’t mean you’re losing control, it means you’re gaining control by focusing on the tasks that only you can do and letting others take care of the rest.
And finally, there’s the fear of losing the personal touch with the business. But here’s the thing, delegating tasks doesn’t mean you’re losing your connection to the business. In fact, it can help you identify and cultivate talent within your team, which can lead to a stronger and more successful business.
So, HR founder, it’s time to let go and start delegating. Trust in your team, focus on what you do best, and watch your business soar to new heights!
Looking To Do Less And Achieve More?
By focusing on your strengths and outsourcing in the areas that don’t speak to you as well, you can find yourself with less stress and more time to do what you do best. At MindAbility, we offer HR founders the tools and knowledge they need to support and grow a business to its highest potential. To find out more about our workshops, events, and personalised coaching, get in touch today!
