(3 minute read)
In the pursuit of success, many individuals get stuck in the mindset of "how can I do this?" rather than asking the more powerful question: "Who can help me achieve this?" This concept highlights the shift from an individualist approach to a collaborative one, enabling greater efficiency, innovation, and success.
Instead of trying to master every task yourself, finding the right "who"—someone skilled and passionate about that task—creates better outcomes and frees you to focus on your unique abilities. Your own "how" should be directed only at your passion, while other tasks should be entrusted to your "whos." This approach transforms your vision and expands opportunities exponentially.
Dan Sullivan, in his book Who, Not How, emphasizes that leaders should shift their focus from working harder to collaborating smarter. The principle suggests that by surrounding yourself with the right people, your personal and professional growth can accelerate dramatically. The bigger the vision, the more whos you need.
Successful leaders do not work alone; they leverage teams and networks. A well-structured team consists of multiple "whos" who take ownership of their roles and drive success through their expertise. Collaboration fosters innovation, builds trust, and transforms goals beyond what an individual could achieve alone.
A key takeaway from high-performing organizations is that transformational relationships—not transactional ones—create long-term growth. Instead of focusing on controlling every step, leaders should clearly communicate their vision and allow their team to take ownership of execution.
Procrastination often stems from not knowing how to start a task. Instead of getting stuck, ask: "Who already has the knowledge, skills, and experience to accomplish this efficiently?" Defining goals clearly and finding the right people allows for faster execution and greater results. Using an "impact filter" document can help communicate objectives to your whos, ensuring alignment with your vision and expectations.
Time Freedom: Delegation allows leaders to focus on high-impact activities instead of getting bogged down in tasks that others can do.
Money Freedom: Time is a valuable asset. The wealthiest individuals prioritise tasks that bring the highest returns and delegate the rest. Money follows those who value and optimise their time.
Relationship Freedom: Strong partnerships and collaborations create sustainable success. Working with the right people expands potential beyond individual capabilities. Transformational relationships, rather than transactional ones, drive long-term growth.
Purpose Expansion: The right whos don’t just help execute a vision; they enhance and expand it in ways you may not have imagined. Leaders who focus on defining the "what" and let their team determine the "how" create an environment where innovation and autonomy thrive.
Great leaders define clear success criteria and outcomes without micromanaging how things get done. By giving autonomy to their whos, they build high-performing teams that take ownership of results. Effective delegation is about defining the vision and allowing others to take responsibility for executing it. Leaders should engage in ideation, focusing on growth opportunities while allowing their team to be proactive in problem-solving and execution.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level and get out of reactive mode, let’s chat. Reach out to us at hello@accountica.com.au with the subject line “Private,” and we’ll help you build the business of your dreams.
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the information is appropriate to your needs and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.
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