Get the Hell Out of the Hourglass – Part 12, The Finale

“See, I let go, and look at what bad things happened!” 

Leading and putting together a thriving company is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Business is a science but leadership is an art, and this art form requires the emotional intelligence to know when to let go.

The biggest issue with this hourglass is that we feel the need to control and don’t let go. You don’t let go because you’re afraid to let go. I get that. And then, some people do let go, and it goes terribly, so they say, “See, I let go, and look at what bad things happened.” Then they get back in the pinch point and get small again. It’s okay to be small. For some people, that’s fine, but not for me. The fun is not doing the work but putting the pieces of the puzzle together and watching it happen.

The business will only grow to the size equal to the degree that the owner is willing to (wisely) delegate. I couldn’t think of an easier way to say that. Let’s try it this way:

Growth in Business  = Degree the Owner is Willing to ‘Let Go’

Big Growth = A Lot of Careful Delegation

No Growth = No Careful Delegation = Stuck in the Hourglass

Letting go does not equal losing control. With the right systems, processes, and people, you never have to lose control, but building this can take a while.

The view from outside the hourglass

I’ve got freedom and the autonomy of business ownership, and now I am putting money away for the company and myself while planning my exit. Out of the hourglass, I can spend time on the creative task of strategy development, personal enjoyment, and quality time with my family. So, get the hell out of the hourglass! It’s a great view.

See you Thursday. Build muscle.