When your team expands rapidly but your support system doesn’t, the result is often leadership overload. Here's how to adjust your approach so you don’t get buried—and your team doesn’t burn out.
Reset how you work—together. Don’t lead a large team like a small one. Revisit your availability, role in decisions, and team routines. Set new expectations with your team, then co-create working norms that clarify how you collaborate, communicate, and resolve conflict.
Prioritize visibly. You can’t do it all. Focus on what matters most—and make that focus public. A simple, recurring message highlighting top priorities can help align the team, reduce confusion, and cut unnecessary escalations.
Delegate with clarity. Scaling isn’t about doing more—it’s about empowering others. Identify and develop lieutenants who can lead within their areas. Be explicit about what they own, what they should escalate, and where they have full autonomy.
Simplify the system. Growth often leads to clutter. Audit your team’s tools, meetings, and processes. Eliminate what slows you down. Don’t overengineer—just start by removing obvious friction.
Protect your energy. You set the tone. Use a weekly check-in to monitor your energy and make adjustments before burnout sets in. |
