The Rigors of a Business Owner

Sometimes, being at the top of a company is not what it is all cracked up to be. The title looks good: Owner, President, Founder, CEO. 

However, the responsibilities and rigors that come along with that second line on your business card can be lonely and challenging. Others in the same position feel your pain and have experienced some of the very same dilemmas.

 

Filling Very Big Shoes

It is easy for a business owner to second guess themselves or feel perplexed when it comes to decision making, especially if they are a small business and do not have a team of executives helping them sort out all the external and internal factors that have to be considered. Do these feelings sound familiar:

• It’s lonely at the top. There is often a sense of feeling alone and isolated, especially if you are a small business owner or operate a business from your home.
• I don’t know why it is so hard to stay focused. With no one above you or around to monitor your work habits, it may be hard to stick to the plan.
• I’m not sure I’m making the right decision. Not having anyone to bounce ideas off of or any other perspectives can make you feel like all decisions are made in a vacuum.
• I feel like there is something missing. The same goes with this impression. It’s hard to know and cover everything that comes up with a business. There could be unforeseen challenges and missed opportunities.
• My employees are not providing advice or feedback because I think they think I’m the boss and don’t need the help. Often, employees may feel that the leader simply knows what they are doing and should not speak up. While you might not have intended for this formal relationship to develop, employees rarely feel comfortable to just speak up.
• I think I might be procrastinating and can’t get motivated to do what I know I should. Along with losing focus, the lack of a higher power to get you moving means you may not get what you wanted done regardless of the little voices in your head telling you to hurry up.

Achieving Accountability and Proactive Decision Making

Being at the helm of a small business does not mean you have to go it alone and there are ways to get support from staff and outside experts in a way that helps you slip into those big shoes quite comfortably and enjoy your role as an accountable and proactive leader:

• Consider professional assistance in the form of a business coach or business counselor who can help you shape your business as well as your own habits, behaviors, and practices to become more disciplined and proactive.
• Call on and visit customers when you can to stay in touch with your audience and relevant issues.
• Interact with your staff and encourage them to share in decision making and idea generation.
• Join networking groups, industry associations, and local small business meet and greets to interact with colleagues and your peer group, gathering advice or simply commiserating.

Getting Answers

It is important to reach out to others – both within your business in terms of employee interaction and outside through customers, the community, experts, and business colleagues. Have you had similar feelings or concerns as a business owner? What have you done or what are you still struggling to overcome? Let us know.