What if the next step in your success isn’t learning how to do more—but learning what you no longer need to do yourself?
In this episode of Wellness in Every Season, Autumn talks with Gina Cotner, founder and CEO of Athena Executive Services, about the art of delegation and why learning to let go can be an important part of preventing burnout, developing stronger teams, and creating a life outside of work.
Gina’s company pairs successful entrepreneurs and executives with part-time virtual executive assistants, giving her a front-row seat to one of the challenges many high-achieving people face: they’ve become successful by being extremely capable, but eventually their goals become bigger than what one person can reasonably carry.
Autumn and Gina explore why delegation can feel so uncomfortable, how to decide what actually requires your attention, and why someone else doing something 80% as well as you might be far more valuable than you doing everything yourself.
They also take delegation beyond productivity. What happens when the hours you get back are intentionally invested in sleep, exercise, relationships, hobbies, health, or simply having room to think? Gina shares how delegation has helped her build a business while working roughly 15 hours a week and making space for passions like competitive pickleball, golf, and caring for her long-term health.
You’ll also hear Gina’s powerful “crow’s nest” analogy for leadership: a leader’s job isn’t necessarily to stay on deck doing the work alongside everyone else. Sometimes your greatest value comes from getting high enough above the day-to-day work to see what’s coming next.
This conversation explores delegation, accountability, trust, boundaries, leadership, burnout prevention, and the uncomfortable work of getting out of your team’s way.
And one simple challenge may change how you approach help altogether: the next time someone genuinely offers to help you, what if you simply say yes?
Connect with Gina Cotner
Athena Executive Services
https://www.athenaexecutiveservices.com/
Learn more about working with a part-time virtual Executive Assistant through Athena Executive Services. Gina also shares during the episode that listeners who mention hearing about Athena through Wellness in Every Season can receive bonus hours at no additional cost on their second invoice.
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/athenaea/
Social:
@ginacotner_
Continue the Conversation
We’re taking this conversation one step further in the Wellness in Every Season Companion newsletter, including Gina’s thoughts on an important question we didn’t have time to fully explore during the episode:
How do you find the right executive assistant—and recognize sooner when someone isn’t the right fit for the role you actually need?
Join the newsletter at wellnessineveryseason.com to continue the conversation.
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