Are You An Overwhelmed Boss?

Small business owners are notorious for being overwhelmed. Do you, as a small business owner, hire people to help you feel less overwhelmed? Does it help or do you still feel overwhelmed? Or do you avoid hiring people because the amount of time it'll take you to train them will just add to your overwhelm?

If you set yourself up to be an overworked boss when you don't do basic things like project follow-up. Delegate projects and then plan specific days and ways to follow up with them. When you don't follow up the project isn't finished correctly, you get frustrated and you take the project from them and no you're even more overwhelmed. As a result, employees don't see themselves as having failed you, they start to see you as overwhelmed and out of control and like they need to rescue you. 

Have you noticed that you're constantly cleaning up your employees' messes? When you set follow-up dates employees see you as an organized boss and they see you as tough but fair. Employees want to show up, contribute, do their job, enjoy their work, and to trust their boss. If an employee delivers an incomplete project and you have a reputation for being out of balance or overwhelmed, they won't feel like they've been successful and they won't enjoy or trust you as their boss. Marginal employees will perform at a higher level when they feel supported, they enjoy their work environment, and they trust their boss. 

Expectations as the Boss:

1. You will train them at the beginning of their employment so they know what's expected

2. You will delegate projects correctly

3. You will put in your calendar, a minimum of two follow-ups with the employee you've delegated a project to, before its due date.

4. You will look for positive things when you meet with them to encourage them. Keep the ratio of three positive things for each negative thing you have to say.

5. You will have regular meetings. 

Give your employees the opportunity to feel successful at taking things off your plate. The stress of projects not being finished is what you're in for if you don't hold your employees and yourself accountable. Your homework is to write down the overwhelming thoughts and behaviors you have, the feedback you get from your employees, and make a list of things you'll be accountable for.