Module 3 – Release Letting Go so your Team can Support you Effectively

Delegation doesn’t Work Delegation adds more work to your plate You need to decide what has to be done and how You need to continually tell them what to do You don’t have time for anything else! If you hire the right person it’s a matter of release – not delegation

Expectations We are responsible for: Providing clear goals & objectives (WHAT) Clearly communicating those goals Setting deliverables & deadlines Being responsive to questions Team is responsible for: Asking questions to clarify our goals Telling us HOW they can help Managing their own priorities Getting stuff done!

Measures of Success Be VERY clear on what results/deliverables you are looking for –ie: I want to setup a new Facebook page like this one that has A, B, C on it Share this clearly in any discussions Always have a deadline! Parkinson’s Law states “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”

Getting Started… It’s a relationship! Takes time to build Start simple – dating projects Takes 90 days to get to know your business We can’t expect perfection! Work to solve issues along the way Ongoing communication is the key

Communication Plan Discuss your Working Hours Preferred Methods of Communication Required notice for new projects Confirmation of new tasks/projects Turn around times Establish Monthly Goals Weekly Check-in Regular updates on hours Emergency Criteria

Let’s talk boundaries… Where most issues occur Respect the other person’s working hours and timelines (set in communication plan) Respect your OWN working hours and timelines If you ask for too much “last minute” stuff that will wear on the relationship Keep in mind that some folks have a hard time saying NO but resentment will build

How to Communicate via Keep it to one topic/project per Approach as asking for help vs. telling Don’t forget to include a deadline! Warn your team of an “ tsunami” coming NEVER have a tough conversation via

Example Hey Tiffany, So I want to get a Facebook page setup. I really like the one at X – I want to have a freebie offer on the page like they do, and the regular OBM banner will work imo. Was hoping to get this live here in the next couple of weeks – is that doable?

Project Management You (and your team) need a way to keep track of who is doing what, deadlines and such Most of us default to using our inbox Best to use any of the simple PM tools out there Quick check-in at beginning of day PM is most likely you in Stage 1, after that hire an OBM to manage in Stage 2/3

Keys to Letting Go It all comes down to trust Having people in place that we feel confident can do the job Having systems in place that allow us to keep our finger on the pulse of what is going on Taking a deep breath!

What Stops Us I don’t have time to train someone else But I do it best! I don’t have anyone on the team who can do X I’m not really clear on what I want If I give X away what will I do with my own time?

Are you an Ostrich? Hire someone, put head in sand and hope that things get done you are essentially expecting your team to be able to read your mind (trust me, they can’t) Some business owners are stuck and may be unconsciously trying to abdicate the success of their business to their team.

Or a Control Freak? Hire someone and either a) not give them anything to do or b) hang over their shoulder you really struggle with being able to let go of things and trust that they will get done There is a fear that if we aren’t on top of everything and ensuring things are done exactly the right way it will all fall apart.

Building the Letting Go Habit Remind yourself of the best use of your time (as outlined in Module 1) Always ask yourself throughout the day – Am I the best person to do this? Be relentless! Give your team permission to slap your wrist and take stuff off your plate ;) Set your own working hours and time off (and stick to it)

Being Accountable to your Team Fulfill your part of the bargain – get them the stuff they need to do their job Be on time with deadlines – don’t be the bottleneck in your own business Respect their time, ie: don’t cancel a call just go get your nails done Be the person that you want your team members to be!