Realign Your Focus & Crush Your Goals

A new year is the perfect time to have a fresh look at your goals and map out a plan for growth. As you consider where to spend your energy, ask yourself: "What needs to change to free me up so I can dedicate 80% of my time to high-level growth and impact initiatives, and avoid getting pulled into the weeds?"

Here are some points to consider:

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Role Clarity

If you find yourself frequently dropping down into the weeds (and micromanaging), it might signal one of these three things:

• Your team may lack the skills, capacity, or alignment needed to deliver effectively.
• This could be a sign of a “my way or the highway” approach that limits delegation and trust in your team.
• Let’s be honest, stepping into the details can feel like a dopamine hit. It’s a confidence boost, a chance to shine, or even a beautiful distraction. If this resonates, it might point to something deeper:
  - You’re not fully loving your role, leadership, or company.
  - There’s a lack of clarity around what success looks like or how to achieve it.
  - You don’t have the resources or support needed to excel in your higher-level responsibilities.

Taking a step back to reflect on these possibilities can help you identify and address the root causes, paving the way for greater impact in your role.

Team Capabilities & Strength

A team is only as strong as its members, and it’s easy to put off addressing the specifics needed to ensure you (and your team) are set up for success. Here are a few things to think about:

• Does your current structure still work? Could someone on your team be ready for a promotion or capable of taking on more responsibility?
• Are there any performance challenges that could be resolved through coaching, or do you need to make the tough decision to replace someone?
• Do you need to bring in specialized freelancers to tackle projects or help manage peak periods?

These are all important considerations as you evaluate what’s needed to set your team up to crush 2025.

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Trust & Effective Delegation

Having the right key people in place and trusting them with meaningful responsibilities is critical.

• How are you effectively delegating today?
• Who on your team do you trust? What is it about them that makes you trust them, and could you coach others to build similar trust and take on more?
• Are your team members clear on expectations and outcomes? Clarity is key to ensuring tasks are handled effectively and to building confidence in their abilities.
• While there will inevitably be bumps and missteps along the way, these moments can be invaluable opportunities for growth. Trust, combined with real-time feedback and empowerment, fosters accountability and sets the foundation for long-term success.

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As you are thinking about capabilities, structures, and hiring we’d be happy to share trends, insights, job overviews, and compensation benchmarks. Simply reach out to your Creative Niche Account Lead or schedule a confidential conversation with our Founder & CEO, Mandy Gilbert.