There comes a time in every entrepreneur’s journey when what once felt fulfilling begins to feel heavy. You start asking, “Why am I the one still doing this?” or “What would happen if I stopped?”

For many high-achieving leaders, that question feels like failure. But what if it’s actually the beginning of growth?

Let me offer a reframe I’ve lived into myself: firing yourself isn’t a failure – it’s a strategic, necessary step in your evolution as a leader.

The Inner Conflict of Delegation

Delegation sounds simple on paper: hand off tasks so you can focus on higher-level work. But in practice, it stirs up a storm of emotion and identity. We fear letting go of control, worry about being misunderstood, and secretly believe no one can do it like we can.

I used to think I needed to keep doing the hard things myself to prove my worth. That if I let go, I might lose relevance. But what I learned over time is this: holding on too tightly isn’t leadership. It’s limitation.

True delegation is about trust. Not just in your team, but in yourself. In your vision. In your ability to evolve.

What Firing Yourself Really Means

To “fire yourself” is to intentionally release roles, tasks, or responsibilities that no longer align with your highest contribution. It’s not about stepping back. It’s about rising into a new level of leadership.

I define it in three parts:

• Releasing what no longer serves you
• Redistributing responsibility with clarity and care
• Rising into the visionary work only you can do

When you fire yourself from things that keep you stuck in the weeds, you create space for innovation, creativity, and strategic growth. And you model something powerful for your team: that leadership is about trusting others, not micromanaging.

When It’s Time to Let Go

So how do you know when it’s time to fire yourself? Here are a few signs:

• You’re burned out, resentful, or avoiding tasks that used to energize you
• You’re the bottleneck for growth or decision-making
• You’re craving more space to think, create, or lead in a new way

Ask yourself:

• What can only I do?
• What drains me?
• What brings me life?

If you’re spending the majority of your time in the draining zone, it’s time to make a shift.

What Happens When You Do It Well

When I began firing myself from roles in my company, I started to see ripple effects I hadn’t expected:

• My team stepped up in new ways I hadn’t anticipated
• I had more creative energy and vision for the future
• I became a better mentor, not just a manager

Delegation didn’t make me less valuable. It allowed me to bring more value in the areas where I was uniquely gifted. I had the space to write, coach, lead, and ultimately prepare the business for a successful exit.

The Deeper Work Beneath Delegation

Sometimes, delegation is blocked not by a lack of systems, but by a lack of self-trust. We think we’re indispensable because our identity depends on being needed. But what if you’re still important, even when you’re not involved in every detail?

Letting go can be spiritual work. It’s a quiet, internal shift from proving to trusting.

You don’t have to do it all to be worthy. You have to trust that what you’ve built can carry you forward – and that you can carry your vision, even if you’re not the one executing every part of it.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re at the edge of burnout, or simply ready to grow into your next level of leadership, I invite you to ask: what do I need to fire myself from?

Start small. Choose one thing. Hand it off with clarity and care. See what opens up.

You don’t have to white-knuckle your way to success. Let go with intention. Trust your team. Trust your future.

And remember: firing yourself is not stepping back. It’s stepping up.

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Want guidance on how to delegate more effectively, without guilt or overwhelm? Explore my book, or reach out to connect 1:1. I’d love to support your delegation journey.