Muddy boots and running your own business

People who know me well also know how much I love my dog! I walk with him every day and this year he has also become one of my regular co workers.

Every day I put on my walking boots and exercise my brain as we walk along.

This is valuable time in my working day during which I have formulated some of my best marketing ideas and business development plans. This year I have also occasionally walked around in a state of mild despair.

The other day I looked down at my boots and it occurred to me that however I feel on any given day I love getting my boots muddy!

I was speaking to a couple of my clients about this and we agreed that we could relate this to running our own businesses.

In harder times getting stuck in to all areas of the business can be exhausting but also the most rewarding part of being a business owner. We drill down don't we look at costs, savings and plan for longevity. Survival instinct kicks in. View the business as a whole take stock and plan for survival, not just for ourselves but for all our employees.

I don't know about you but I can still operate everything in the business. Photocopier playing up - I can fix it, furniture needs putting together - no problem. Marketing, social media, cash flow, forecasts, budgeting, organising the cleaning, As the firm has grown there is still nothing I wouldn't want do to look after Consilia and the team. Its my 4th child!

Now I've read all the books about delegation had leadership coaching and know I shouldn't "mother" the business or the team. I understand about working on the business not in it.

Honestly though the day I stop wanting to get my boots muddy in litigation and the day to day management of the firm and the team, is the day I will consider packing my bags.

Of course we all need balance to be effective but when times are tough why would a good leader remain detached?

Get stuck in I say - get your boots muddy. Do what feels right for you. If you love it show it, if you are worried about it say it. Be transparent and if you have the right team and client base they will come through it with you.

On that note I am off to walk my dog.