Why am I the only one who can put out the fires around here?!! Did that thought hit close to home? When the process of decision-making lives only in your head, every question and problem lands back on you. You get pulled into nonstop answering questions and giving directions, and before you know it, all the work slows down and gets bottlenecked around you.
In this episode, I sit down with Jon Sheldon to talk about why so many owners end up stuck as the final decision maker simply because they were never taught how to lead. Jon shares how most owners step into leadership by accident. They are great at their work, but suddenly, as the business owner, they are responsible for people, directions, and choices with no structure to lean on.
When there is no decision-making process in place, Sneaky Leaky slips in through work delays, employee confusion, and owner burnout, quietly stealing the profits you’re working so hard for.
What You’ll Learn…
- Why every question landing on you is a profit-draining habit
- How a clear process of decision-making keeps work from stalling
- The leadership shift that stops constant interruptions
- Why smart teams still freeze without a decision structure
- How the process of decision-making builds confidence across your team
- The hidden cost of being the final answer for everything
- What changes when decisions no longer wait on you
Key Moments…
[0:55] Why Owners Become The Default Decision Maker
[3:40] How Leadership Happens By Accident In Small Businesses
[7:15] The Process of Decision-Making That Keeps Work From Stalling
[11:30] Why Teams Freeze Without Clear Direction
[15:05] Clarity As The First Step In Better Decisions
[18:50] How The Process Of Decision Making Builds Confidence
[23:10] Getting Out Of The Way So Your Team Can Move
Why Owners Become The Default Decision Maker
Many owners start out making every call because it feels faster and safer. Over time, that habit turns into everyone waiting on you before moving forward. When your process of decision-making is not written down or shared, your team does not know how to think through problems on their own. That keeps you stuck answering questions instead of leading the business. This is one of the easiest ways Sneaky Leaky slips in and drains time and profit.
How Leadership Happens By Accident In Small Businesses
Most home service owners never planned to be leaders; it just happened when they went out on their own. You were good at the work, so people naturally looked to you for answers. Without a clear process of decision-making, leadership becomes reactive instead of intentional. That puts pressure on you and creates confusion for your team. Growth gets harder when leadership is built on guesswork.
The Process Of Decision Making That Keeps Work From Stalling
Work slows down when decisions pile up waiting for approval. A simple process of decision-making gives your team a way to move forward without checking in every time. It does not remove your authority; it gives your people guardrails. When decisions keep flowing, jobs get finished faster, and customers stay happier. That steady movement protects both profit and morale.
Why Teams Freeze Without Clear Direction
Even good employees will hesitate if they are not sure what the right choice is. When there is no shared process of decision-making, people worry about making the wrong call. That fear leads to delays, second-guessing, and constant interruptions. Clear direction helps your team act with confidence. Confidence saves time and reduces mistakes.
Clarity As The First Step In Better Decisions
Clear decisions start with knowing exactly what problem you are solving. A strong process of decision-making forces clarity before action. It helps your team slow down just enough to think instead of react. That small pause prevents bigger problems later. Clear thinking leads to better outcomes across the business.
How The Process Of Decision Making Builds Confidence
Confidence grows when people know how to evaluate a situation. A shared process of decision-making gives your team a repeatable way to choose their next step. Over time, they trust themselves more and rely on you less. That shift frees up your time and strengthens leadership across the company. Strong teams make stronger businesses.
Getting Out Of The Way So Your Team Can Move
The goal is not to control every decision; it is to guide how decisions are made. When your process of decision-making is clear, you can step back without fear. Your team moves faster, problems get solved sooner, and you are no longer the bottleneck. That space lets you focus on growth instead of constant interruptions. This is how businesses run without burning out the owner.
About Jon
Jon Sheldon is a leadership, growth, and small unit coach who helps high-performers lead with authenticity, operate in alignment, and grow with purpose. His background as a Marine squad leader and Fortune 500 sales executive shaped how he approached clarity, discipline, and resilience, especially under pressure. Now, he works with individuals and teams to build performance systems that scale sustainably, without losing what matters most. His coaching is grounded in stoic calm, radical honesty, and a belief that real growth starts with owning the truth.
Connect With Jon Sheldon:
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Access Jon’s Battle Plan Worksheet here by quickly logging in so you can use his great decision-making framework now!
Diane’s Resources:
15 Profit Leaks E Book
📖 Spot the common places where money slips out of a service business and learn the fixes that keep more cash with you. https://profitcoach4you.com/profitleaks
Free Tool Audit
✂️ Clean up your software stack with a quick audit that shows which tools earn their keep and which ones drain your budget. https://taxcoach4you.com/toolaudit/
Break-Even Breakthrough Worksheet
📊 Find your true monthly break-even number so you can make pricing and planning decisions with confidence. https://taxcoach4you.com/monthlynut/
Schedule a free Profit Impact Call with me where we’ll go over 12 main areas of your business together and save you $45k!
