By Annita Katsikopoulou
SITUATION
After 23 years of relentlessly running her business with long, demanding hours, our client, a business owner, faced severe burnout. Despite a healthy business, growth had stagnated. The owner’s belief that only she could ensure quality led to micromanagement and employee frustration, hindering team development and limiting growth. On top of that, customers preferred to be treated exclusively by the owner.
Overworking without taking time off led to physical illness and job dissatisfaction. Forced into a year-long sabbatical, she handed the business to her assistant, causing a sixfold income drop. Disillusioned and detached, she sought help from JAL for coaching.
CHALLENGES AND ISSUES
– Severe burnout from years of overworking
– Stagnant business growth due to reluctance to delegate and build a capable team
– Customers only trusted the owner for service quality
– Micromanagement stifled employee development and autonomy
– Significant income drop when the owner took a sabbatical
– Physical and mental detachment from the business
JAL APPROACH
1. Leadership Development and Delegation
– Provided one-on-one coaching to the owner, focusing on effective leadership and delegation strategies
– Helped the owner identify and overcome the “I’m the only one who can do it” mindset
– Encouraged the owner to trust her employees and delegate responsibilities to build a strong, capable team
2. Building a High-Performing Team
– Conducted team-building exercises and training sessions to empower employees
– Established clear roles, accountabilities, and performance expectations for team members
– Implemented mechanisms for regular feedback and continuous improvement
3. Strategic Business Planning and Growth
– Assisted in developing a strategic plan to reignite business growth
– Focused on identifying new revenue streams and expanding the customer base
– Emphasized the importance of work-life balance for long-term success.
4. Operational Efficiency and Customer Trust
– Streamlined business operations to enhance efficiency and service delivery
– Implemented customer relationship management strategies to build trust in the team
– Shifted customer perception to value the entire team’s expertise
5. Sustainable Growth and Personal Fulfillment
– Guided the owner in managing the business remotely from another country
– Encouraged continuous learning and skill development
– Fostered a work environment where the owner could enjoy her business again.
RESULTS
– The owner now successfully manages her business while living abroad
– Engaged in continuous learning and skill development, finding personal fulfillment and enjoyment in her work
– Revenue tripled in the first year, returning to previous levels within two years
– Achieved 25% additional growth in the third year, surpassing initial performance metrics
– Developed a strong, autonomous team capable of maintaining high service quality and driving business growth
CONCLUSION
By embracing effective leadership, delegation, and team-building strategies, the owner transformed her business and personal life. This case underscores the importance of sustainable growth, work-life balance, and trust in team capabilities. Through strategic coaching and support, the owner achieved exceptional performance while fulfilling her personal dreams and aspirations.