Let’s make this clear from the start: You’re not crazy for wanting control. It probably kept your business alive in the early days. You signed the checks, closed the deals, took out the trash, and fixed the copier. If something broke, it was on you. That kind of ownership runs deep.
But here’s the thing: what kept your business alive back then might be what is choking it now.
Micromanagement Feels Safer, But It’s Slowing You Down
Most owners don’t start off wanting to micromanage. It’s just…hard to stop. You’ve built something important, and you want to protect it. I get it. But once your team starts growing, that same “hands-on everything” approach stops being helpful and starts getting in the way.
Let’s say you’ve got a Sales Director. Their job is to build relationships, fill the pipeline, and bring in business. But you’re still checking every proposal, weighing in on every pitch, and directing the follow-ups. Be honest—are they actually leading? Or are you still doing their job from the
sidelines?
When you keep your grip too tight, people stop taking ownership. Not because they’re lazy—but because they know you’ll jump in and change it anyway. At some point you’ve got to decide: Do I want to grow, or do I want to control everything?
Letting Go Starts with the Right People
I’m not saying “let go” like it’s a trust fall. I’m saying let go strategically . And that starts by putting the right people in the right seats . They need to believe in your company’s core values and actually be a good fit for the job. Not “sort of.” Not “he’s been here forever.” The right fit.
Once that’s in place, sit in on their Level 10 Meeting®. Watch how they lead, solve issues, and drive results. If they’re doing what they’re supposed to, back off and let them do it.
Most business owners don’t delegate enough. They’re too busy reacting to have time to think ahead. My challenge to you is to let go of the tasks that don’t require your brain. Then, use that freed-up space to think bigger, not just react faster.
You don’t have to let go of everything overnight. But if you want your business to stop running in place, you’ve got to get out of its way. You can’t scale if you’re still playing air traffic controller for every task and every decision.
Want help figuring out how to lead without gripping the wheel so tight? I’m Jackie Kibler, an EOS Implementer® and coach. Let’s talk about what it looks like to stop being the bottleneck—and start being the leader your business actually needs.
