3 Signs Your Business Needs Teammates Who Are Better Than You

Lately, I've been having serious doubts about what I am doing and how I am doing it.

In a way, I am failing. But that also means I am growing.

You know how owning a business brings all of your weaknesses to the forefront?

Well, all of my shortcomings have been compounded these past two weeks --- namely my difficulty in setting and backing clear boundaries.

I'm a consultant for crying out loud, I specialize in communications - hell, I even instruct people how to talk to audiences, and I am struggling myself with how to communicate authentically. I am learning that to show up for my clients in the best way possible, I need to learn not only who I am, but who I am not. 

Are you able to recognize your own limits?

Just because we can do something doesn't mean it is in our or our clients' best interest to do so.  Recently, I realized my limitation of writing. Since adopting a consulting and coaching role over the last few months, I've found that my talents are best used to do just that - to guide others in understanding their own brand and helping them develop a deeper sense of purpose within it and passing that on to their audiences.

I've learned that it's okay to let go of roles that no longer serve ourselves, our business or our clients. For me, this role was a strict "copywriter". Can I write? Yes. But, I've also met others who have a greater passion in honing their writing craft than I do. This was a huge blow to my ego. I've learned, as a writer in the publishing industry for so many years, I've been used to being under the guidance of editors and that to consult with brands who have no editors requires me to truly LISTEN to my clients in a way I've never done before.

What role are you taking on that you may be outgrowing in your business?

I've learned that I listen better when I am separate from the writing process.  That to truly help my clients build the legacy brand they deserve, I need a team of writers who are BETTER than me. 

My piece of advice today for any business owner is this - 

Be honest enough with yourself to know when you need people who are BETTER than you around. And if you're wondering some clues to find out when the best time is to have those kind of people on your team, the answer is this:

1. When a specific set of your skills could be more profitable elsewhere.

For example, my sales and consulting skills are more important for my business than my actual writing. I will continue writing for myself, but now I will pass the work to other writers and guide them in serving our clients.

2. When your skills complement the weaknesses of your team's strengths.

My people and sales skills compensate for the traits which make the writers I work with so damn good at what they do. The writers I am so fortunate to work with love being isolated for days refining their writing. I outgrew that and prefer talking with people on the phone. Naturally, my outgoing extrovert tendencies (never in a million years did I ever think I would use the word "extrovert" to describe me - see how much we can outgrow ourselves?!) complement my amazing writing teammates who sit until their butts are numb to nail that copy - and they wouldn't have it any other way.

3. When you feel drained after doing something you're good at because you hate doing it.

One of the reasons I took up writing for a career is because I AM good at it. I can take on a voice and with some good research and heartfelt compassion, I can empathize with any audience. But the truth is, just because you're good at something doesn't mean you're meant to do it forever. I came to a point where I resented writing and felt completely depleted after assignments. I would be so emotionally taxed after writing that I would go to bed and be stressed, I had no time for selling or working on other parts of my business. It came to a point where it made no sense to do it anymore.

Pro Tip: If you're doing something you hate, you're not helping anyone! 

Why do we love punishing ourselves sometimes?!

When you're in line with yourself and your talents, you will be energized after working hard.

If you feel completely exhausted after doing something, that's a sign you should seriously reconsider giving up the role you've put yourself in and pass the baton to someone who can do it even BETTER.

No shame in that game. Pass the torch to flames brighter than you, your business will thank you, not to mention, you'll learn a whole lot more from your new team than you could ever learn by yourself!

Keep up the good work, Creators!

-Caitlin