The Importance of Being on Site

There is a time to lead, and a time to lead closer. We all know that the idea isn’t to do everything ourselves; delegating is part of what allows our businesses to grow. We hire people or bring on team members so that they can do certain tasks that free us to do other, more important tasks. But there are times when we need to be closer to the action. Knowing the difference can make a big difference.

Many of our clients are independent contractors and are handling a lot of moving pieces with their projects and their businesses. We’ve had many conversations about the importance of being on site because it’s no different when we work with our clients, or when they work with theirs. There are times to be on-site or more attentive than others. The question is, “How do I know when it’s that time?” While there could be all kinds of answers to this, three key circumstances really call on us to be on site.

The first is when critical decisions are being made. Projects always have a moment or two where an important decision needs to be made. It might be a design decision, how to deal with a problem that’s shown up, or when a client is closely involved and needs our help. Critical decisions need you to be present.

The second circumstance is when a more-difficult-than-normal task is happening. There are times when we have to stretch on a project or there is something going on that is delicate, has to be exact, or is just more challenging than the regular work. Times like that often require us to be on site.

The third situation is when something pivotal is happening. It’s not uncommon that any project requires planning, some preparation, and initial start-up activities. Then there comes a point where, until a certain task is completed, everything else has to wait. Those pivotal moments might be decisions that have to be made, difficult tasks, or simply a hinge-pin stage of the project. When those times arrive, so should you —on site.

Whether you’re dealing with a client project, your financial plans, your family, or otherwise, it’s important to know when it’s time to be there, and when it doesn’t require your presence. We always have to lead, and sometimes we have to lead closer.

Glenn Ayrton is registered as an Investment Advisor through Sora Group Wealth Advisors Inc., a Member of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). This information is general in nature, and is intended for educational purposes only. For specific situations you should consult the appropriate legal, accounting or tax expert. Important information about a mutual fund is contained in its prospectus which should be read before investing. Unit values and investment returns will fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. The information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however, we cannot represent that it is accurate and complete. This update is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Sora Group Wealth Advisors Inc.