Business is black and white, usually, apart from the complex world of relationships within the organisation. I don’t mean the personal, “do you like or not like someone” but the more in-depth aspect of trusting your colleagues. Can and will they complete the work by the deadline? Are they capable of managing that client situation as you would like it managed? Do they need help?
This is particularly challenging when it is your own or a shared business. The confidence to delegate and know that he/she will communicate strongly with you when necessary is often misunderstood. It is up to you as the “delegator” to set the lines of communication, check-in points and deadlines – don’t presume that your partner/colleagues will manage up or sideways. You may have always done this but they may not. Remember that it was you, after all, who left your job to set up your own company so that you didn’t have to manage up anymore and to enable you to enjoy managing your own business…and presumably you have chosen to work with these people as they have strengths to support your weaknesses.
How well do you enable others? How do you know?
I would recommend a business check-in plan; call it what you like, a business review or a partnership appraisal. Set a specific time to allow open discussion about your own role within the business. As companies grow and change, so do the duties. All your staff may have a job spec but how often do you consider your own? Are you the best person to be responsible for that division/role/project or could it comfortably be delegated? This also leads into succession planning and allowing yourself time away from the business…a whole new chapter!