Are You Wearing Too Many Hats?

I just got back from a two-week vacation with my two sons. We fished, we laughed, we ate great food, and at least one of us may have even consumed a tequila or two. More importantly, we got to know one another a lot better without the distractions of work, school, and the pressures of daily life getting in the way. But there was a time when I couldn’t take even a two-day vacation, let alone at two-week one. That’s because I was wearing too many hats in my business.

Most small businesspersons – myself included – start out wearing almost all the hats (serving in multiple positions) in the business. But as the business grows, hopefully we begin removing some of those hats and passing those areas of responsibility to trusted employees and consultants. Yes, I know they may not be able to work those areas as well as you can – or so you think – but if you don’t pass some of those hats to others, you will never grow your business, and you will never be able to take a two-week vacation away from it either.

One of the most difficult challenges a business owner faces, is knowing when to let go. This can be especially hard for controlling types, which many entrepreneurs are. The secret is PLANNING to transfer duties and responsibility from day one. First, you find and develop a core of key individuals who exhibit good business and personal qualities – such as honesty, dependability, trustworthiness – with the aptitude and willingness to do the job. Now, teach them how to do an aspect of your business, provide them the opportunity to grow to the next level…then remove that hat from your head and gingerly place it on their head. Repeat.

The principle works for organizations as well as businesses – that of the planned passing of responsibility – although it is more difficult in business because the stakes are higher, and your money is involved. One way I heard to grow a CLCA chapter is to make the FIRST responsibility of each board member and committee chair, that they find their replacement. Once found, they have the rest of the year to help them learn the position so that they can be ready to step up when it is their turn. Plus, you have just doubled the size of your chapter leadership…which will help you accomplish considerably more throughout the year.

If you implement this strategy – whether in business or in your organization – you’ll eventually be doing more managing and less of the other business tasks your staff (or board members) are now handling. It’s now time to plan your vacation.

– José Robles, owner, Landscape Warehouse