Running a small business is no simple task, in particular when you’re managing teams, worrying about cash flow, figuring out ways to win new business – it’s tough and it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind, losing sight of the bigger picture.
I see this a lot when taking on new coaching clients.
I’m a huge football fan and have been enjoying Euro 2024 to date, with the exception of England’s performances which have been flat and lacking the quality and cohesion that we should expect from such a talented group of individuals.
What’s more, speak with pretty much any England fan, and you’ll hear the same opinions, Foden shouldn’t play on the left, Alexander-Arnold is exposed in an unfamiliar midfield role, the team need to press from the front and so on.
After last week’s 1-1 draw with Denmark, manager Gareth Southgate made a strange comment about not having a natural replacement for midfielder Kalvin Phillips. This was odd for a couple of reasons: England has a ton of world-class players, and Phillips hasn’t been in great form or getting much playing time at his club.
This situation reminded me of the challenges small business owners face when they’re too caught up in the details to see the obvious solutions.
As a business owner, you’re likely always pushing for success and growth.
But just like Southgate, you might find yourself making decisions that don’t fully utilise your resources. Southgate’s odd substitutions and post-match comments suggest he’s a bit too close to the situation, unable to see the wood for the trees.
This is something I see a lot with my clients. They’re so involved in their businesses that they can’t always see the solutions that are staring them in the face.
That’s where someone like me comes in— a guide by your side to help you step back and gain some perspective. To help you zoom out to take more of a helicopter view when you’re too close to the detail. Conversely, to zoom in to put into focus, review and analyse options in detail when you’ve identified the critical issue.
Think of it like having an expert analyst by your side, who can see what’s happening on the field of play and offer insights, backed up by data, that the manager might miss because there’s so much going on.
My role is to help you take a step back, review your strategies, and make sure you’re not missing out on obvious opportunities or falling into easily avoidable traps.
Here’s a few more steps you could take:
One of the most effective ways to gain this perspective is to create regular opportunities for reflection. It might sound simple, but setting aside time each week to review what’s working and what’s not can make a huge difference. This weekly review helps you stay aligned with your long-term goals and ensures you’re making decisions that benefit your business in the long run.
Another critical component is fostering open communication with your team. Your employees can offer valuable insights because they’re on the ground, dealing with the day-to-day operations.
Regular team meetings where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts can provide a broader view of your business’s strengths and weaknesses. Encouraging this kind of dialogue can reveal opportunities and solutions you might not have considered.
In addition to internal feedback, seeking external perspectives is also beneficial. Engage with mentors, peers, or industry experts who can offer an outsider’s view of your business. These external insights can be invaluable, highlighting areas for improvement that you might overlook because you’re too close to the situation.
Taking these steps helps you avoid the pitfalls of narrow, short-term thinking.
By regularly stepping back and reflecting, you can spot opportunities and threats that you might otherwise miss, ensuring your decisions are balanced and forward-looking.
Ultimately, success as a business owner means running a thriving, well-managed business where you and your team are motivated and aligned. By keeping the bigger picture in mind and regularly reflecting on your strategies, you make more informed decisions that drive sustainable growth.
Your business benefits from a clear, strategic direction, much like how England’s football team would benefit if Southgate could listen to the experts and better utilise all his available talents!
