Uncover Your Business Success By Asking “Who” Instead Of “How”
Leslie Hassler, Small Business Scaling Strategist??
Unlocking Freedom | Creating Predictable Profits to Grow and Scale Your Business | 1:1 Consulting | Profitable Growth Incubator | Speaker | GS10KSB Alumni | Author of "First This, Then That" and "Scaling Rich?"
Every entrepreneur is familiar with the burning question, "How do I fix this?" But what if the real secret to exponential growth and work-life balance lies not in the "how" but in the "who"?
You’ll know that you are ready for this concept if you’ve ever felt like you’ve got all the right pieces of the puzzle but can’t seem to make them work together to get your business to the next level.
This is a critical leverage concept to consider as you grow and scale your business because when you ask the wrong question, you’ll never get the right answer. In this case, you need to take a step back and look at the questions you are asking. Often, the question needs to be “Who,” not “How.”
The "Who Not How" Paradigm Shift
This concept is not a new concept, but it was written about in the book “Who, Not How” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. This concept urges entrepreneurs to shift focus from "How" to "Who," enabling them to leverage other people's expertise and time, accelerating growth and reducing bottlenecks.
This is your advanced strategic move, a way to leverage what you learned in the development stage of networking, and an important concept to embrace for your growth, profit margins, and work-life balance.??
Take your biggest challenge right now.? The one that your brain is likely in overdrive trying to figure out how to solve.? You’ve done this and that, but nothing seems to work.? What if you’ve simply been looking for answers to the wrong questions??
Instead of trying to answer the question, “How do I solve this problem?” Consider asking yourself, “Who can solve this problem?” Before you go down the wormhole that the question can open up, let’s keep things simple.
If you don’t know who, maybe you know someone else that knows “who”?? That’s the next step - leveraging your network to help you find solutions that are not about you directly solving all the problems but about finding the people who can solve the problems for you.??
The added benefit is that they likely will solve the problem faster and with less wheel spinning than you would. ?
Hiring for Task vs. Hiring for Result: Shaping the “Who” in Your Business Journey
As you navigate the transformative “Who, Not How” philosophy, let’s bring this concept into real-world business challenges: hiring.
It’s natural to see that hiring is a “who,” not “how” power play. Yet, it is more nuanced than just hiring people.? It is about hiring the right people at the right time for the right role and being strategic about how to use the play to grow and scale your business.
We spend a considerable amount of time working with our clients, designing the dream team along the concepts of “who, not how.”? For us to effectively get you out of the daily grind, you need a solid can-do team alongside you.
Enter your key concept where you decide if you are hiring for a task or hiring for a result. Let’s take a quick look at the differences.
1. Hiring for Task: The Precision Play
When you hire for a task, you're bringing someone on board to execute a specific function, following a well-defined path. This approach ensures consistency, and you'll often know exactly what you're getting.
This hopefully gets tasks off your plate so that you can focus on your zone of genius, assuming that the person you’ve hired can work independently. Otherwise, you are still stuck in the how, and you’ve only traded the task for the management of the task.
Imagine this scenario: You're constructing a family home and need someone to lay the bricks. You hire a seasoned bricklayer who does just that - perfectly laying brick after brick. In this scenario, you don’t have to teach the task or even manage the task - yet it still gets done.
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2. Hiring for Result: The Visionary Venture
On the other hand, when you hire for a result, you're investing in a broader goal. You present the challenge of producing a desired result and allow the individual the creative freedom to determine the best way there.
This encourages ownership and accountability and attracts proactive, forward-thinking individuals who can generate innovation and creative problem-solving. All of which benefit the business.
The harder part of hiring for a result is that you, as the business owner, have to trust.? Every business owner has a story where they thought a team member would be great, but instead, the experience went totally wrong. This creates significant trust issues we must co-pilot before this strategy can be effectively used.? When it is the right time, it is a game changer.
Let's return to our home-building analogy. Instead of just a bricklayer, you hire a seasoned architect or a contractor. You share your dream of a cozy, sunlit family home. They understand the vision and decide on the materials, design, and even some unexpected yet delightful features.
The Bottom Line
In the evolving world of entrepreneurship, knowing whether to hire for a task or a result is crucial. It's akin to choosing between a well-trodden path and forging a new trail. Both have their place. The task-oriented approach ensures precision, while the result-oriented mindset invites innovation. This is just one example of putting the who, not how, concept to work in your business.
3 Steps to Start Implementing the “Who, Not How” Philosophy Today
As a business owner who values family, freedom, and a visionary outlook, let’s look at 3 steps you can take today to capitalize and benefit from the “who, not how” philosophy.
Remember, the essence of the “Who, Not How” philosophy isn't about relinquishing control but rather about optimizing results. By directing your energy towards results and leaning on the expertise of others, you position yourself and your business for accelerated growth and balance.
Benefits of Leveraging Relationships and People
Want to take the weight of the world off your shoulders?? This is where you start. I often joke that there’s no gold star for growing and building a business all by yourself.? With 7.8 Billion+ people on this earth, at least 20 people can make it happen.
You've built a business with hard work and determination. But what if you could take everything you've done and turbocharge it? It's not about more hours at the desk or additional stress. It's about tapping into the potent power of leverage and economies of scale. These aren't just buzzwords. They are your ticket to a life beyond just managing a business to enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Is this easier said than done? Not when you understand the simple power of “Who, Not How.” Stop burning yourself out with how to solve every issue and start asking who can help solve it for you. Enlist the expertise of others and magnify your impact. That's the magic of collaboration. You're no longer a solo act but an orchestra conductor inspiring each person playing their part to create a symphony of success.
Here's the beautiful part: When you focus on building systems that leverage your time and talents, you're not just improving your business. You are also improving your quality of life. You are creating the freedom to leave the office early and attend your child's soccer game or go on a date with your spouse. Your business becomes a vehicle for achieving your life's goals, not an obstacle.
Don't settle for just running a business. Aim to lead a fulfilling life enriched by a business that serves you as much as you serve it.?
At Your Biz Rules, we're not here to give you abstract advice. We’re here to co-pilot your journey to business freedom and prosperity. Whether through our Profitable Growth Incubator, our Fractional CFO services, or one of our Strategy Sessions, we don't just identify problems; we roll up our sleeves and help you solve them.?
Together, we aim not just for success but for a life well-lived. A business that serves you, not the other way around. Because life’s an adventure that's better with good company, we’re ready to embark on that journey with you. If you are interested in learning more, find time on my schedule , and let’s chat.