As we launch into a new year, there’s one critical mindset shift that can make the difference between growth and stagnation: learning to work on your business, not just in your business.
It’s a subtle distinction, but a powerful one. Most leaders I talk to are so heads-down in the daily execution of tasks that they rarely step back to look at the bigger picture. I struggle with this too. But if we’re not careful, we fall into what Michael Gerber famously called The Technician Trap. Many small businesses fail not because leaders lack skill, but because they’re excellent technicians and not intentional managers or entrepreneurial thinkers.
When we stay in constant execution mode, we end up doing too much ourselves instead of teaching, delegating, and empowering others. Control tightens. Vision shrinks. And eventually, the business becomes overly dependent on the leader. If we want longevity and scalability, the business can’t rest on one set of shoulders.
To create a year marked by an “ON the business” mentality, here are five practical steps every leader can begin implementing right away.
STEP 1: SCHEDULE TIME TO THINK.
This step is simple, but not easy. You have to intentionally create space in your calendar to think. Start with just one hour a week and treat it like a non-negotiable meeting. Block it off completely. Silence notifications. Turn on Do Not Disturb if you need to.
This is not time for email, task management, or putting out fires. This is time to think strategically about the direction of the business: What’s working? What’s not? What needs to change in the next 90 days? Leaders who don’t make time to think eventually lose the ability to lead proactively.
STEP 2: APPLY THE 85% RULE.
John Maxwell has taught for years that if someone on your team can do a task 85% as well as you can, you should hand it over and let them run with it. This principle is one of the fastest ways to move yourself out of the day-to-day weeds.
Ask yourself: Who on my team could take this responsibility? Then trust them enough to actually let go. Yes, there will always be a few things only you can do—but far fewer than most leaders think. When you delegate well, you don’t lose control; you gain capacity. And often, the people you empower will exceed expectations and bring fresh perspective to the role.
STEP 3: BUILD YOUR LEADERSHIP BENCH.
We talk about this often because it matters deeply. Working on your business requires a team that can carry the operational load without constant oversight. That doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through training, equipping, and consistent development.
We can’t expect our teams to magically have the skills they need. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to invest in their growth, give them opportunities to stretch, and coach them along the way. A strong bench frees the leader to focus on vision and strategy instead of daily maintenance.
Bench strength is about being prepared, not reactive. Surprises will happen. The real question is whether or not you’ll be ready when they do.
Leaders who intentionally create space to develop thinking multiply their impact.
STEP 4: BECOME A CHANGE AGENT.
If there’s no need for change, there’s no need for a leader. One of the primary reasons leaders must step out of the day-to-day is so they can see what’s coming next. While the team executes, the leader must look ahead.
Being a change agent means embracing change personally before trying to facilitate it organizationally. It also means communicating clearly and compellingly so others can move with you. Leaders don’t just manage what is—they prepare people for what will be.
STEP 5: RECOGNIZE THE URGENCY.
The pace of change has never been faster. It took phone companies and car manufacturers more than 50 years to reach 50 million customers. Facebook did it in just three. And those timelines continue to shrink.
This reality creates urgency—not panic, but intentional action. The sooner we stop fighting the present, the sooner we can begin shaping the future. While we will always need to work in our businesses, we must also commit to working on them if we want to stay ready for what’s next.
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