Overcoming the fear of not always being available for your team

Hey Reader,

I know the idea of not always being available for your team might be making you a bit anxious. You might be wondering:

  • What if my team gets stuck and needs my help?
  • Will they feel like I don’t care?
  • Am I doing a bad job if I’m not always responsive?

These are valid concerns, and as a woman in tech who wants to excel at her role while potentially feeling expectations, it’s natural to worry about being there for your team. But here’s the truth:

When you’re not always available, your team learns to figure things out on their own, reducing their dependency on you.
This is a good thing! It not only empowers them but also teaches them to be less interrupt-driven and more productive.

Let’s break down these fears and see how you can shift your mindset:

  1. What if my team gets stuck? Trust in your team’s ability to solve problems on their own. By stepping back, you’re giving them the space to become more resourceful and confident.
  2. Will they feel like I don’t care? Recognize that setting boundaries is a form of care. By focusing on strategic priorities, you’re creating an environment where your team can thrive without needing constant oversight.
  3. Am I doing a bad job if I’m not always responsive? Redefine your role to focus on strategic leadership. It’s about empowering your team, being a multiplier for them and driving high-impact work, not being available 24/7. Your value lies in leading with intention, not constant availability.

By not always being available, you’re giving your team the opportunity to grow, learn, and become more self-sufficient.

This leads to a more empowered, productive, and confident team.

I totally understand though, that while all of this makes logical sense, actually putting it into practice can feel daunting.

(This is one of the reasons why my clients hire me 🙂)

Until next time,
Jossie

P.S. And if you want to talk about hiring me for that very reason, click here.