The Death Grip Dilemma: Why Letting Go Helps Your Business Grow
- Randall
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Holding On Too Tight
As a business owner, you probably feel the need to be involved in every aspect of your growing company. It’s your baby, after all. You believe that the more control you have, the better the outcome. If you stay on top of everything, every decision, every process, every problem, you can ensure success.
Not exactly.
Think of your business like a baby bird resting in your hand. Your instinct is to hold it tightly so it doesn’t fly away. But if you grip too hard, you suffocate it. The very thing you’re trying to protect ends up suffering because you won’t loosen your hold.
The Fear of Letting Go
Letting go is hard. It’s terrifying, even. You’ve held tight for so long, and your business is doing well, so why take the risk of loosening your grip?
Uncertainty: What if things go wrong?
Trust Issues: What if someone drops the ball?
Fear of Failure: If you don’t do it all yourself, does that mean you’ve failed?
Absolutely not. The fact that you’ve built a successful business already proves you’re capable. But here’s the reality: when business owners finally let go, their companies don’t just continue to do well, they flourish.
Imagine if you opened your grip just a little. The bird is still in your hand, still safe, but now it has room to breathe and grow. The same applies to your business. When you loosen your control, you create space for creativity, problem-solving, and innovation, all while keeping your company on track.
A Real-Life Example: The Arborist Who Loosened His Grip
A few years ago, I started working with a local tree arborist. He was a classic business owner, juggling everything himself, making every decision, handling every detail. He had worked hard to build a successful business despite rough times and past bad experiences with a few employees and customers.
🚧 The Roadblock: He was stuck at 80% of where he wanted his business to be, knowing he needed help but unsure what that looked like.
🛠️ The Fix: I stepped in just a few hours a week, helping with day-to-day operations. We introduced better processes, improved software, and shifted to proactive actions.
📈 The Results: Over the next year, customer service improved, employees were happier, and most importantly, his life became simpler. As he saw the results, his grip loosened a little more.
The Power of Extra Hands
Imagine if you introduce a second hand. Now, the bird has more space to breathe and grow. This second hand is someone you trust, someone with the right skills and knowledge to support your business.
✅ The Right Fit Matters. In the past, this business owner had trusted others, and it hadn’t always worked out. The problem wasn’t trust, it was hiring the wrong people. When he found the right fit, he was able to delegate effectively and grow.
Taking It to the Next Level
Eventually, we hit a ceiling, and I moved on. A year later, I checked in:
❌ Many of the processes had fallen apart.
❌ He was overwhelmed again.
❌ The wrong hires couldn’t sustain what we built.
I stepped back in, and within a month, we got things back on track. This time, we weren’t just maintaining the business, we were expanding it.
From Tree Care to Woodworking: A New Business Takes Flight
One of his long-time dreams was to turn his woodworking hobby into a business. For years, he had made beautiful wood bowls and furniture but felt overwhelmed at the thought of launching it.
Now, it’s happening.Together, we built a roadmap, freed up time in his primary business, and put the right pieces in place. In 2025, his woodworking business will officially launch.
What’s Next?
✅ Marketing the woodworking business to tree care clients
✅ Connecting with woodworkers who want quality, local wood
✅ Partnering with interior designers for handcrafted furniture
✅ Attending and hosting events to showcase our work
✅ Creating a showroom and retail space
And just last week, we finished a stunning six-foot-long live-edge charcuterie board from a local Boxelder tree.
How Many Hands Does Your Business Need?
It’s understandable to feel scared and hesitant about letting go. But when you do, your business doesn’t just survive, it surpasses your expectations.
The phrase “It takes a village” applies to business, too. Growth requires collaboration, trust, and the right support network.
The arborist is now:
✅ Spending more time with family
✅ Feeling less stressed
✅ Seeing his businesses thrive
So, the question is:
🔥 Are you going to keep squeezing until there’s nothing left?
🔥 Or are you ready to loosen your grip and let your business grow?
If you’re ready to add the right hands to your business, I can help. Let’s talk.
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