Today's topic is one that has been on a lot of contractor's minds lately. They've been asking me "How do I free myself from the constant phone calls from my employees? Can't anyone out there step up and make a decision?"

You've heard the answer for years. It is the magic elixir: DELEGATION.

All you have to do is delegate and you will find yourself with hours and hours of uninterrupted time to work ON your business. Just go out and delegate.

Whew. Got that problem solved. Now that wasn't so hard to fix, was it?

Wait a sec. What did you say? You've tried to delegate but no one stepped up? Those that did made stupid decisions that cost you money and clients? Delegating isn't so easy is it? That's okay. I'm here to help.

Lessons from the Animal Kingdom
The following lesson is taken from the book Flight of the Buffalo by James A. Belasco and Ralph C. Stayer. Belasco and Stayer compare the leadership styles of buffalo and geese. Yes, they actually have leadership styles.

When you micromanage, force most decisions through you, you are being a HEAD BUFFALO. When you share decision making authority, you are being a goose.