3 Questions to Ask Yourself as a Leader
Have you ever ended a busy week feeling like you worked nonstop, but your to-do list somehow got longer? As a business owner and leader, it’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind, putting out fires, answering questions, and wearing every hat in the company.
The truth is you have two valuable resources, time and money.
Navigating these two resources is a balancing act that can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to grow your business. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What should I actually be focusing on?”—you’re not alone.
Just because you can do something in your business doesn’t mean you should. The real magic happens when you focus on what you need to do—the tasks that move your business forward and let your team step up, or simply outsource.
The Difference Between What You Can Do and What You Should Do
Most business owners are capable, resourceful people. You probably can do just about anything in your business—jump in on sales calls, troubleshoot tech issues, even take out the trash if that’s what’s needed. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
When you spend your time on tasks that aren’t the best use of your skills, you’re not making the most of your two key resources—time and money. Every hour you spend fixing a process or solving a problem someone else could handle is an hour you’re not spending on the things only you can do: setting the vision, building relationships, and steering your business forward.
So, What Should You Do?
This is where clarity comes in. The most successful business owners I work with have these things that we have established:
- How their organization is structured: Everyone knows who does what, and there’s no confusion about roles.
- What each team member is responsible for: Clear responsibilities mean fewer dropped balls and less micromanagement.
- How their processes and systems work: Streamlined systems save time, reduce mistakes, and make scaling possible.
- How to lead and manage effectively: Good leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about empowering others to do their best work.
- When you focus on building this kind of clarity, you free up your own time and energy for the work that truly moves your business forward. You also create a more confident, capable team—and that’s a win for everyone.
You should also do ONLY the things you can do, and delegate (train and empower) the other items.
Your Next Step
If you’re feeling stretched thin, take a step back and ask yourself:
- What am I doing right now that someone else could do?
- Where am I spending time that isn’t delivering real value?
- What’s one process or responsibility I could clarify for my team this week?
You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Start small, and watch how much lighter your workload feels—and how much more your business can achieve.
Ready to create more clarity and less chaos in your business? Let’s talk. I help business owners and leaders like you build stronger organizations, better teams, and more freedom to focus on what matters most.
Your time and money are too valuable to waste. Let’s make sure you’re spending both where they count.
Ways to Work Together
If you are feeling trapped in your business and not experiencing the freedom you want, here are the two ways we can work together.
Clarity Call: Ready to build a business that gives you true freedom? I create custom solutions tailored to your industry, goals, and vision of success—so you can love your business again. Click above to schedule a call to clarify your goals, tackle roadblocks, and see how we can work together.
Business Roadmap: This is for business owners who want clear, actionable next steps—not another generic course. Get a plan tailored to your business, clarity on what matters, and the resources to move forward. Walk away knowing exactly what to do—and what to ignore—so you can save time, money, and avoid years of frustration.
A third way, and I know I only said two, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If you are feeling stuck and are in need of resources, reach out. I am happy to point you in the right direction and even provide an asset of my own to help you move forward.
Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?
I strategically help business owners develop their leadership competencies, implement ways to be more strategic to increase revenue, develop workflows that affect the bottom line, and create work-life integration so they live a life they love. Set up a free 15-minute consult. Click Here.
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Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?