When you embarked on your entrepreneurial journey, what was your vision? Did you have a clear plan, or were you just certain of what you didn't want? As a seasoned entrepreneur with 12 years of experience, I can tell you that often, the initial clarity is lacking. We know what we don’t want, and that’s a valuable starting point.
Many times, when setting goals, I advise clients to focus on what they don’t want. This approach is insightful because we often don’t fully grasp the outcomes of our goals until we achieve them. What we do know is our past experiences and what hasn’t worked. Leveraging this knowledge can help define what we truly want: likely, freedom and control over your work, your clients, and your schedule.
But here's the catch: the beginning of our entrepreneurial journey isn’t where we should end up. Growth requires evolution and, often, discomfort. It’s crucial to understand the difference between managing your business and leading it as a CEO.
The Manager vs. CEO Mindset
When starting out, many of us wear multiple hats. We are the salespeople, marketers, content creators, admins, and more. As our business grows, we may hire others to take on some of these roles. However, shifting from a solopreneur to a CEO involves more than just expanding your team; it requires a transformation in how you think and operate.
As a manager or a glorified employee in your business, you’re often bogged down in daily tasks, micromanaging, and managing the minutiae. This approach keeps you entangled in the business rather than leading it. Being a CEO means stepping away from the daily grind and focusing on the bigger picture. You need to transition from implementing tasks to visioning and guiding your team.
Micromanaging is a common sign that you're stuck in a managerial role. If you're obsessively involved in every detail, constantly checking on your team, or finding it hard to delegate, you're likely not operating as a CEO. Effective CEOs delegate tasks and empower their team members, allowing them to take ownership and grow. If you find yourself getting lost in tasks that could be delegated, or if you’re still handling tasks that others could do, it’s time to reassess.
Delegation can be challenging. You might feel that only you can do certain tasks correctly, or worry that delegating will burden others. However, effective delegation is crucial for scaling your business and avoiding burnout. Consider how much time small tasks take and weigh that against the benefits of freeing up your time for strategic work. Remember, even small tasks add up and can significantly impact your available time and energy.
Embracing Your Role as CEO
To truly step into the CEO role, you must embrace a strategic mindset. This means:
Focusing on Leadership: Spend time developing your leadership skills. A CEO’s role is to inspire, guide, and set the vision for the company.
Empowering Your Team: Trust your team with responsibilities. Empowering them will lead to a more motivated and productive workforce.
Managing the Big Picture: Shift from day-to-day operations to focusing on long-term strategy and growth.
Moving Forward
To truly transition from managing to leading, consider this: if your business feels messy or disorganized, it might be a sign that you’re not fully stepping into your CEO role. Organize your operations, delegate effectively, and focus on leading with vision and strategy.
I’m in your corner and here to support you! If you want to restructure your business to be based in freedom, download my free Female Founders Freedom Framework now.
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