Know Your Genius Zone: Stop Doing Everything and Start Leading Smarter

When I was building my first team, I did what every leadership book, business coach, and well-meaning mentor told me to do delegate.

So I did. I handed off tasks I thought I “shouldn’t” be doing. I outsourced things that took up too much of my time. I hired people to take over what I assumed weren’t my responsibilities as the leader.

And it backfired big time.

Not only did I struggle to train the people I hired, but they struggled to succeed in their roles. I was handing off things that came so naturally to me that I couldn’t break them down into a training manual. I didn’t know how to explain something that I just knew. It left me frustrated, them overwhelmed, and our business stuck.

It took me a long time to realize what I was doing wrong. I wasn’t just delegating I was giving away my Genius Zone. And in doing so, I drained myself and burned out the people I brought in.

The moment I got clear on my highest and best contribution my zone of genius everything changed. I stopped trying to fill roles just to take things off my plate and instead built a team that supported and complemented my strengths. And let me tell you, that shift is the difference between a leader who’s exhausted and one who’s truly thriving.

Why Leaders Are Drowning Right Now

If you’re feeling overworked, spread too thin, or constantly shifting between tasks that drain you, you’re not alone.

??60% of leaders say they’ve taken on more responsibilities over the last three years.

?? The Great Resignation and pandemic forced many leaders to pick up extra roles just to keep the business running.

?? The lines between leadership, execution, and management have blurred, leaving leaders unsure of where they should actually be spending their time.

And here’s the problem: Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.

So how do you figure out what to let go of? How do you find your true Genius Zone the work that only you can do, that energizes you, and that propels your business forward?

How to Find Your Genius Zone

Your Genius Zone is the intersection of:

?? The thing you’re naturally good at (so good, you assume everyone else is too).

?? The thing that gives you energy rather than drains it.

?? The thing that no one else can do in your business.

If you’re struggling to find it, here’s a step-by-step way to map it out:

Step 1: Identify Your Greatest Place of Shame

I know, this sounds intense but stay with me.

Shame is often tied to things that come naturally to us because we assume they should be just as easy for everyone else. But they’re not. And that’s exactly why they’re your genius.

Ask yourself:

?? What do I downplay because I assume “it’s not that special” or “everyone can do this”? ?? Where do people constantly ask for my help, but I brush it off because it feels too easy?

Chances are, that’s where your Genius Zone starts.

Step 2: Follow Your Frustration

Your biggest frustrations are often a sign of where you thrive.

Think about the tasks or responsibilities that make you crazy when someone else doesn’t handle them well. The areas where you jump in, take over, and fix it because no one does it quite like you.

Ask yourself:

?? What’s the thing I always step in to fix?

?? What’s the task I get impatient watching others struggle with?

?? Where do I feel the most confident and competent?

That frustration isn’t just annoyance it’s your subconscious recognizing an area of mastery.

Step 3: Pinpoint What Gives You Energy

Not all work is created equal. Some tasks leave you drained, while others leave you feeling fired up. Your Genius Zone is the work that fills your cup rather than empties it.

Ask yourself:

?? What’s the work I can do for hours and still feel energized?

?? What projects excite me the most?

?? When do I feel the most in flow where time disappears, and I’m fully engaged?

This is the work that keeps you in momentum instead of dragging you into exhaustion.

What to Do Once You Find Your Genius Zone

Once you’ve mapped it out, the next step is to build a team that lets you stay in it.

Here’s how:

?? Protect It – Stop giving away the work that is uniquely yours. If it energizes you, comes naturally, and drives results, it stays on your plate.

?? Delegate Smartly – Let go of tasks that drain you or don’t require your unique strengths. Hire for complementary skills rather than just filling gaps.

?? Hire for Alignment – Bring in people whose Genius Zone complements yours. You don’t need clones of yourself—you need a team that rounds out your blind spots.

?? Lead with Clarity – Once you know your zone, communicate it to your team. Let them know what you own, what they own, and how you can best support each other.

Your Leadership Challenge

Right now, take a moment to reflect:

? What’s one thing you do so well that you assume everyone else can do it too?

? What’s one area where you feel frustrated because no one else seems to get it right? ? What’s one task that lights you up and energizes you every time you do it?

Your Genius Zone isn’t just a nice-to-have it’s the key to sustainable leadership. When you stay in it, you lead with confidence, energy, and impact. When you step out of it, you risk burning out yourself and your team.

So, are you ready to do more of what you’re actually meant to do?

If this hit home, let’s talk. Join us at The Service Hub Network Event, where we’ll dive deep into how to build a team that allows you to stay in your zone, align your business, and eliminate the hiring shortage.

?? Save Your Spot Here

?? Drop a comment what’s your Genius Zone? Or are you still figuring it out? Let’s talk!