Saboteur: a person who engages in sabotage.
It can happen in business – by the business owner themselves.
As a professional business Coach helping entrepreneurs and leaders build habits that are critical for success, I’ve witnessed how many of them aren’t even aware of what’s truly holding them back.
I have, myself, been guilty of not being aware of my own self-sabotaging behaviours in the past.
So, in this blog, let’s look at the 5 common counter-productive habits of many business owners that can sabotage their own success.
5 ways you’re sabotaging your entrepreneurial progress
- Doing all the quality control yourself.
When it comes to your business, you’re the one who knows how it runs best, right? And it’s your vision and guidance that has built it to the point it has reached and paved the groundwork for the future. Naturally, you want everything to run according to the master plan because if something goes wrong, you’re afraid your business may crumble.
However, this mindset is probably leaving you incredibly hamstrung.
Delegation is something that has to start at the top, and as a business owner, it’s incredibly easy to bury yourself in work and never want to hand it off to someone else.
However, businesses with leaders who know how to delegate tend to grow faster, generate more revenue and create more jobs. Have a read of my previous blog on how to master effective delegation.
2. Not training more competent leaders and managers like yourself.
Unfortunately, so much time, energy and money are often spent acquiring a team who are then subsequently led by an unskilled manager. This has a lot of repercussions for your business as managers have a huge impact on the performance of the team.
My advice is to invest in training and development to effectively produce qualified managers who will then lead your teams and help you achieve your goals.
3. Treating your industry as absolutely unique from the rest.
This mindset is the biggest BS (pardon my language) I’ve ever heard, and it absolutely drives me insane!
While it is true that your industry is different, it is only unique in the sense that the product or service you deliver is different. But the fundamentals of your business are the same as many others.
Harbouring this saboteur mindset can narrow your focus and shift you away from seeking the right help.
No matter how big or small your organisation is, all high-performing businesses start by having a comprehensive plan, smart financial strategy, effective marketing and a great hiring process. Focus on these essential elements first so you can deliver your unique service well.
4. A constant pursuit of incremental growth.
Aiming to gradually increase your sales or website traffic this year is the most common example of an incremental growth mindset.
However, real profitable and scalable success comes from starting to think more exponentially. It’s about looking at how to make a vertical leap in growth – not necessarily wanting to just jump farther, but substantially higher and quicker.
Unfortunately, many business owners often cut themselves off from many leverageable opportunities and innovative thinking before they even give the door a chance to open.
5. You make all business decisions based on gut feeling.
While decision making based on instinct may work at times, you need tangible indicators and a number-based dashboard to make well-informed business decisions.
These clear insights can give you the answers you need to solve any business challenge and embrace new opportunities. Ultimately, you want data, a range of opinions and your own experience to make the best decisions.
Have a read of my previous blogs to help you make better business decisions and create a comprehensive business dashboard.
Do any of these behaviours seem familiar?
Don’t worry – you’re not alone. It’s all about what you do next.
It’s time to reframe your mindset to avoid sabotaging your own business success. Remember, the habits you started out with may not be beneficial now or in the longer term. Businesses need to evolve over time, so it’s important to regularly evaluate where yours is at, as where you’re at, too.
However, it can be difficult to know what to do or how to do it.
So, if you want to explore how to build better business owner habits that can finally allow you to succeed, I’m here to help.
As a Business Coach and Mentor, I work with business owners like you to guide you on the path toward achieving your business goals.
Simply schedule an initial discovery call today with me.
Stephen O’Sullivan
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