Let It Go!

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Let it go!” Perhaps most often used in a personal context; when a friend pulls us to the side and counsels us to get over something or someone that offended us, a circumstance that rubs us the wrong way or a battle we’ve lost.

Maybe we’ve walked away from the situation but we’re off in the corner pouting, or we’ve called to complain, or we’ve surprised our friend by bringing up some should-have-been-forgotten incident that happened long ago. With emphasis, our friend says “Hey, just let it go!”

Whether using the same words or not, sometimes a professional friend has to deliver the same message. But letting go can be tough.

Successful people are often control freaks to one degree or another. Taking matters into our own hands is what made us successful; so we figure that doing it ourselves is what we need to do to sustain that success.

But guess what, that’s not always the case. In fact, countless articles have been written about entrepreneurs who hold on too long to the detriment of the companies they built, and still more about successful entrepreneurs who knew when to turn over the reins and watched their companies flourish under new leadership.

Of course, most of the time I write these blog posts as much for me as I do for you, so in this case I can use personal examples and maybe both of us can learn something.

When I was a student at Morehouse College one of the things that I enjoyed most was being president of the DC Metro Club. A civic and social organization comprised of students the Atlanta University Center from the Washington, DC area, we sponsored an annual pajama party and the infamous Freaknic each year to raise money. The fun part was that we gave the majority of our profits away every year to area charities.

In my senior year I also had the opportunity to serve as the College’s homecoming chairman. There were lots of activities to plan for the alumni and students and so, in order to focus on that I decided to take a leave of absence from my role with the DC Metro Club. The club’s vice president, Rodney McKenzie, agreed to step in and lead during that period.

There was just one problem. I continued to attend meetings, make suggestions and have opinions about the proper way to proceed. This went on for a few weeks until Rodney pulled me to the side and told me that I was either running the show or I wasn’t, but that I couldn’t do both.

Rodney was emphatic, and I got the message. In a manner of speaking, he’d told me to “Let it go!”

After his push I stepped away from the club entirely until after my homecoming duties were completed. When I came back I received a pleasant surprise: membership was up and we’d raised more money than ever!

Rodney and my friends in the club taught me a valuable lesson through that experience. My contribution to the group may have been unique, but it wasn’t what was most important. The team is what is required to make the magic happen and I was just a small part of it.

Rodney also taught me that there is usually more than one right way to do things. His management style couldn’t be more different than my own. Yet, even though I was the president, he still got results.

More recently, I’ve had regular conversations with a friend about her desires and efforts to grow her business. A more than competent professional, my friend conveys such subject matter expertise and proves to be so personable with prospective clients that they are compelled to trust her.

New projects come faster than she expects and small assignments become long-term relationships… But this creates a “high-class problem.” She has sold herself rather than her brand to her clients because she enjoys her work and wants to deliver for her clients directly. This, in turn, creates an overbooked schedule, periodic missed deadlines, occasional frustrations for clients and constant “dizziness” for the business owner. Of course, this chokes growth. Countless times I’ve counseled my friend, “you’ve got to Let It Go!”

The last time we spoke on this subject though, the mirror was unexpectedly turned toward me. As I was coaching, counseling and cajoling I realized how important it was that I take my own advice.

Four years ago I started a buyout firm. Three years ago we made our first investment. Since that time my partner and I have been focused on rebuilding, rebranding, recapitalizing, refinancing and reenergizing that company. Good for us maybe, but it’s time to Let It Go!

The plan has been developed, the team is working together to execute, the business is performing and growing, and my presence in the offices is as often a disruption as it is a great help. Just as important, the time that I spend there leading the leaders takes away from time that I can spend executing the broader strategy, pursuing additional investments, or enjoying my family or some personal time.

I’ve got a business to build and a life to live. It’s important that I reprioritize my activity to maximize results. So I’m taking this opportunity to remind myself, as Rodney did 20 years ago, to Let It Go!

• Category: Dream Big Then Execute