Delegating Effectively to Spend More Time with Your Kids
Let’s face it, being a dad and a business owner is like playing a never-ending game of tug-of-war. On one side, you’ve got your business pulling you toward spreadsheets, strategy sessions, and scaling goals. On the other, your kids are tugging at your heartstrings with soccer games, recitals, and moments you can’t get back. The secret to winning this game? Delegation.
Delegating effectively isn’t just a business strategy, it’s a lifestyle shift that can free you up to be more present for your family. It’s about building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you while still growing it into the powerhouse you know it can be. Here’s how you can delegate with purpose, spend more time with your kids, and still crush it in your business.
1. Embrace the Delegation Mindset
Delegation starts in your head. For many of us dads, letting go of control feels like stepping into quicksand. You think, "Nobody can do this as well as I can." But here’s the reality: your business won’t collapse if someone else (who has the skills and experience) takes the reins on certain tasks. In fact, it will thrive.
Think of delegation as an investment. Every task you pass off gives you more time to invest where it matters most, your family/kids and the bigger picture of your business. Remember, it’s not about doing everything yourself; it’s about ensuring everything gets done.
But I get it, trust me, I’ve been there. On in my business journey, I’m all in on delegation. I built a team, set clear expectations, and handed over tasks I knew I shouldn’t be doing. And then… nothing. Deadlines were missed, standards slipped, and I found myself picking up the pieces. I was frustrated, not just with them, but with myself.
What I realized was that I hadn’t equipped my team with trainings inspirational talks they needed to succeed.. That experience taught me a hard lesson: delegation isn’t about passing off work and hoping for the best, it’s about empowering your team to rise to the occasion.
2. Identify the Tasks You Shouldn't Be Doing
Not all tasks are created equal. Some need your expertise, while others are just busy work disguised as productivity. Here’s how to spot what to delegate:
Low-Impact, High-Effort Tasks: These are the repetitive or administrative duties that eat up your time but don’t move the needle. Think invoicing, scheduling, or managing emails.
Specialized Skills You Lack: If you’re spending hours Googling how to fix your website or create social media ads, delegate to someone who can do it better and faster.
Tasks You Dread: If it drains you, it’s likely not your zone of genius. Pass it on to someone who thrives in that area.
3. Build a Team You Can Trust
Delegation is only as good as the people you delegate to. If you don’t trust your team, you’ll micromanage, which defeats the purpose. Here’s who to look for:
Virtual Assistants: Great for managing schedules, inboxes, or research tasks.
Specialists: Hire experts for roles like marketing, accounting, or IT. They’ll save you time and ensure the job gets done right.
Operations Managers: As your business grows, an operations manager can oversee day-to-day tasks and keep everything running smoothly.
When building your team, don’t just focus on their skills—pay attention to their values and communication style. You want people who align with your vision and can operate independently without constant oversight.
4. Create Systems That Work Without You
Delegating without systems is like handing someone a GPS with no destination in mind. Set your team up for success with clear processes:
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Document the step-by-step process for key tasks so anyone can pick them up.
Communication Tools: Use platforms like Slack or Asana to streamline updates and keep projects on track.
Check-Ins, Not Micromanagement: Schedule regular check-ins to review progress but resist the urge to hover.
Think of systems as the safety net that allows you to step away from daily operations without worrying about things falling apart.
5. Practice the "80% Rule"
Here’s a tough pill to swallow: no one will do the job exactly like you. But guess what? That’s okay. If someone can do a task 80% as well as you can, it’s good enough to delegate. Over time, with guidance and experience, they’ll get closer to 100%.
Perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. The extra time you gain with your kids is worth far more than nitpicking the details.
6. Make Family Time Non-Negotiable
Delegation is useless if you fill your freed-up time with more work. Schedule family time like you would a business meeting, and treat it as sacred.
Block It Off: Put family time on your calendar, so you’re not tempted to schedule over it.
Be Fully Present: When you’re with your kids, put away the phone and focus on them.
Celebrate the Small Moments: It’s not just about big vacations or milestones—quality time happens in everyday moments like bedtime stories or breakfast chats.
7. Remember Your "Why"
At the end of the day, why are you building this business? For most of us, it’s to provide a better life for our families. Don’t lose sight of that in the hustle. Delegation allows you to keep your priorities straight, scaling your business while staying connected with the people who matter most.
The Takeaway
Delegation isn’t just about offloading work, it’s about reclaiming your time and energy so you can focus on what truly matters. As a business-owning dad, you don’t have to choose between scaling your business and being a present father. With the right mindset, team, and systems, you can have both.
Your kids don’t need a perfect dad, they need a present one. And your business doesn’t need a hero, it needs a leader who knows how to empower others. So start delegating, reclaim your time, and show up where it counts.
You’ve got this.