Oh hi there!
I hope you've had a truly wonderful week!
Something I’ve noticed in my coaching sessions this week is the challenge that many managers face: balancing their time between managing people and doing their own work. It’s a tricky, complex dynamic that deserves more thought than we often give it because, unbelievably, ignoring it and just hoping it will resolve itself rarely works! Who knew?
If that sounds familiar, I think I might just have the thing you need: the gift of time!
We need to acknowledge the difficulty and commit some proper time figuring it out.
Why It’s Hard
One big hurdle is guilt. We may hesitate to delegate because we don’t want to burden others, or because we’re uncomfortable stepping back. Sometimes we hold onto tasks not because we should, but because we’re people pleasers and want to avoid discomfort, or we just don't think that anyone else is going to be capable of doing the work how we would.
This is where open, honest communication matters - both with ourselves and with others. We need to ask: Am I holding onto this because it’s something only I can do, or because I’m reluctant to delegate?
We need to have more honest conversations with our teams too. When roles are clear and check-ins are structured, it becomes easier to step back with confidence.
Practical Tips
1. Set time to reflect – Regularly assess how you’re splitting your time between managing and doing.
2. Delegate thoughtfully – If you feel uncomfortable delegating, explore what’s behind that.
3. Clarify expectations – Ensure you and your team are clear on responsibilities, so you can step away knowing things will get done.
4. Morning huddles or check-ins - these can really help with clarity over who is doing what and where you're genuinely needed.
Balancing management with personal contribution isn’t easy, but with some reflection and better communication, it can become more manageable. Recognising the challenge is the first step!
Cate x
Oh hi there!
I hope you've had a truly wonderful week!
Something I’ve noticed in my coaching sessions this week is the challenge that many managers face: balancing their time between managing people and doing their own work. It’s a tricky, complex dynamic that deserves more thought than we often give it because, unbelievably, ignoring it and just hoping it will resolve itself rarely works! Who knew?
If that sounds familiar, I think I might just have the thing you need: the gift of time!
We need to acknowledge the difficulty and commit some proper time figuring it out.
Why It’s Hard
One big hurdle is guilt. We may hesitate to delegate because we don’t want to burden others, or because we’re uncomfortable stepping back. Sometimes we hold onto tasks not because we should, but because we’re people pleasers and want to avoid discomfort, or we just don't think that anyone else is going to be capable of doing the work how we would.
This is where open, honest communication matters - both with ourselves and with others. We need to ask: Am I holding onto this because it’s something only I can do, or because I’m reluctant to delegate?
We need to have more honest conversations with our teams too. When roles are clear and check-ins are structured, it becomes easier to step back with confidence.
Practical Tips
1. Set time to reflect – Regularly assess how you’re splitting your time between managing and doing.
2. Delegate thoughtfully – If you feel uncomfortable delegating, explore what’s behind that.
3. Clarify expectations – Ensure you and your team are clear on responsibilities, so you can step away knowing things will get done.
4. Morning huddles or check-ins - these can really help with clarity over who is doing what and where you're genuinely needed.
Balancing management with personal contribution isn’t easy, but with some reflection and better communication, it can become more manageable. Recognising the challenge is the first step!
Cate x
