Welcome back to The Growth Ring.
Every Tuesday, one idea, one framework, one action. No fluff, no filler. Read it in three minutes, use it before lunch. That's the deal.
Let's get into it.
One Idea
Most owner-operators don’t have a capacity problem. They have a decision bottleneck problem. Everything runs through them, so the team slows down the the owners pace, no matter how many people they add.
You see it when the owner is cc’d on every email, pulled into every scheduling decision, and asked for approval on a $200 purchase. The business looks busy from the outside, but inside it can only move as fast as one person’s brain.
One Framework
Ask yourself 3 different questions about things that come by you:
Should this even be happening?
If this work doesn’t directly support revenue, client relationships, or risk reduction, it’s noise and can be cut out.
Should this be happening this way?
If it requires a custom decision every time, it needs a rule, checklist, or template instead.
Should this be happening with me?
If a competent team member could make a “good enough” call 80% of the time, you are a bottleneck, not a hero.
One Action
This week, block a 30 minute slot on your calendar and do a few things:
Pull up last weeks calendar and email sent list.
Write down 10 items that required your decision or approval.
For each item answer the 3 questions above in a sentence or less.
Circle 3 that clearly fail the test and don’t need you.
For each of those 3:
Write a one sentence rule your team can use next time instead of asking you.
Share those rules in your next team huddle and tell them, “If it fits this rule, you don’t need to come to me.”
Run that for a week. If nothing breaks, lock in the rule and remove yourself from that process for good.
See you next Tuesday.
Scott