Imagine taking a full week off… and your business runs BETTER without you there.
That's the power of a true self-managing team—a team with systems, accountability, and autonomy so strong that you are no longer the bottleneck. In today's SoTellUs Time episode, Trevor Howard breaks down the blueprint for creating a business that grows without constant supervision, endless questions, or micromanagement.
Whether you're a small business owner, service provider, salon owner, childcare director, or leading a growing team, this episode gives you the exact systems and leadership framework to get your team operating at a high level—without YOU being involved in every tiny decision.
1. The Real Reason You're the Bottleneck (and How to Fix It)
Most business owners end up doing too much because everything flows through them. You'll discover how to shift from Doer → Manager → Leader, so your business becomes scalable, profitable, and drama-free.
2. Step #1: Build Systems That Remove Guesswork
We break down the 3 foundational systems every self-managing team needs:
SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures): Clear, step-by-step instructions that eliminate confusion.
Decision-Making Guidelines: "If this happens… do this" frameworks that help your team solve problems without you.
Defined Roles: Crystal-clear expectations so every team member knows exactly what they own.
You'll hear real examples from service businesses, childcare centers, and teams who transformed overnight by implementing simple, documented systems.
3. Step #2: Create a Culture of Accountability
Autonomy only works when accountability is built in. Learn the system that turns average employees into high performers:
Scorecards & KPIs for each role
Weekly check-ins that take less than 20 minutes
The "Come With Solutions" Rule that eliminates constant back-and-forth
Plus, a story of a business owner who stopped micromanaging and saw productivity skyrocket.
4. Step #3: Empower Real Autonomy
People work better when they feel trusted. Learn how to:
Give team members authority that matches their responsibility
Use the 70% Rule to delegate effectively
Create a "safe to fail" culture
Open feedback loops that spark innovation
You'll hear how one manager reduced chaos by letting team leads schedule independently—using a system—and watch stress disappear.
5. Implementation Roadmap: How to Transition Without Chaos
You'll get a clear plan for introducing autonomy gradually and safely:
Start with one role or department
Build systems BEFORE delegating
Train, don't dump
Expand autonomy step-by-step
Celebrate every win to reinforce the culture
Get ready for a team that's confident, proactive, and self-sufficient.
Systems create clarity.
Accountability creates consistency.
Autonomy creates growth.
This week's challenge:
👉 Choose ONE task you do often. Create a simple system for it. And delegate it.
We drop weekly episodes to help you grow, automate, and scale your business with proven strategies and real-world examples.
Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus
Grow your business with the same tools we use to build automated systems and self-managing teams:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/sotellus
self managing team, how to build a self managing team, team autonomy, accountability culture, business systems, how to delegate, leadership training, employee accountability, SOPs for business, team scorecards, KPIs for small business, business growth strategies, how to scale a business, replace yourself in your business, business leadership podcast, entrepreneurship training, small business management, SoTellUs Time, Trevor Howard podcast, how to stop micromanaging, team leadership skills, how to build a winning team, create business processes, standard operating procedures, service business training, automate your business
