You get inspired. You have your vision and you’re excited to run with your ideas. So, you start your business as a one (wo)man show. As your business begins to grow, you’re ready to make your first hire, because you realize you can’t handle everything on your own. So you interview, hire someone, but then you still continue doing the things you’ve hired the person to do.

STOP MICROMANAGING

We see this every day. You hire someone, but you feel as though you spend the same amount of time telling him or her exactly what (s)he should do that it’s probably better you do it yourself. You can’t let go because:

• You’re afraid it won’t be done right.
• You don’t ever want to be in the position that things are happening in your business that you don’t know about
• You don’t want one of your employees to be able to do things that you can’t do yourself.

How to stop micromanaging

Hire the right people. If you don’t have the right team, then you probably will need to micromanage. Evaluate if this person will fit into your culture, if this person has the same eye as you or if this person is someone that you can grow with and help grow.

Hold people accountable, the good and the bad. When things go wrong, they need to be responsible. When things go right, they need to be encouraged and acknowledged.

State your expectations (and set realistic ones). Let them know the things that matter the most to you. The things that you’re just ridiculously picky about (and why) and the things that you want people to know your business for.

Let go of wanting everything done your way. There isn’t always a wrong and right way to do things. Sometimes you can learn a thing or two from someone else. Don’t be offended, but understand that this is what’s necessary for you to grow.

I know it’s not easy, but first, try to be aware of your actions. Micromanaging can be stifling for your team and it can make them very unhappy and then, of course, less productive, which will affect your business growth.