By Jaime White, co-founder of Believe Crew and member of NAWBO Wisconsin
Effective delegation and team-building are cornerstones of business success. As someone who has been hiring since I was 18, I’ve seen firsthand the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships. My passion lies in helping business owners build dream teams so they can focus on what energizes them.
In my work, I’ve noticed that many entrepreneurs struggle with delegation. They often feel they must do everything themselves, which leads to burnout and limits growth. Delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks; it’s about empowering your team to take ownership and thrive in their roles.
Sharing the Numbers and Creating Transparency
One of the most effective ways to build trust within a team is through transparency. Sharing the numbers—whether it’s financial data, project timelines or performance metrics—creates a sense of ownership and accountability. When team members understand the bigger picture, they’re more likely to contribute meaningfully and align their efforts with the company’s goals.
Transparency also fosters a culture of openness, where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This not only improves communication, but also encourages innovation. When everyone is on the same page, the team can move forward with a unified vision.
Fostering a Collaborative Culture
Building a collaborative culture starts with understanding your team’s strengths. I’m a big fan of Patrick Lencioni’s The Advantage and The Working Genius. These tools help identify the unique gifts each team member brings to the table. For example, my gifts are discernment and galvanizing. I excel at evaluating ideas and rallying people around a common goal.
Oftentimes visionary business owners want to go from the idea phase directly to implementation (skipping discernment of the ideas and giving the team clear direction on appropriate next steps).
Having multiple people on the team where others can work in their gifts and strengths to support the visionary business owner is important. This is true even if those team members are part-time or fractional consultants.
The Power of Personal Development
Coaching is another vital component of team building. Knowing what you do best helps everyone on the team. And then helping team members develop personally, not just professionally is also important.
During annual reviews, I ask employees to make a list of the things they’d like to learn more about and areas where they want to be challenged. I also ask them what tasks they’d like to delegate. This exercise helps everyone level up and ensures that they’re working in their zone of genius.
Encouraging employees to take on new challenges keeps them engaged and prevents stagnation. It also helps identify potential leaders within the organization. By investing in your team’s growth, you’re not just building a stronger team—you’re building a stronger business.
Strategic Delegation for Business Growth
Strategic delegation isn’t about offloading tasks you don’t want to do; it’s about aligning responsibilities with each team member’s strengths. When done correctly, delegation can free up your time to focus on the work you love, while also empowering your team to grow and contribute at a higher level.
For example, if a team member excels in project management, delegate tasks that allow them to shine in that area. If another team member has a knack for creative problem-solving, give them the space to innovate. This approach not only increases efficiency, but also boosts morale, as team members feel valued and appreciated for their unique contributions.
Building a Dream Team
Ultimately, my goal is to help business owners build teams that support their vision and allow them to step out of the day-to-day grind. By focusing on delegation, transparency and personal development, you can create a team that not only achieves business goals, but also fosters a positive, collaborative work environment. If you’re ready to build a team that allows you to work less on what drains you and more on what energizes you, start by embracing the art of effective delegation and investing in your team’s growth. Your dream team is closer than you think.
About the Author…
Jaime White, co-founder of Believe Crew, specializes in delegation and team building. She helps entrepreneurs build strong, empowered teams that drive business success, allowing them to focus on the work that energizes them most. Learn more here.