In business, it is easy to get emotionally involved. As owners and managers, we spend a significant portion of our lives building, investing and creating what we do best.

We are proud of our achievements and we are proud of the teams that help us to achieve great things. Their challenges become our challenges and we are motivated to find solutions which help our teams to thrive and stay focused.

It is also right and essential for us to care about the impact of our decisions, some of which are rarely easy to make. Downsizing, relocating, or simply changing focus comes with a tangible human cost. However, despite these costs, we have an overwhelming responsibility to run our businesses well and to take prudent decisions.

One of the lessons I’ve learned over many years is understanding that the burden of worry is not all mine. My worries in the past were a mixture of what was happening to my business as well as what issues my team members were going through. If you’re at the top of a firm many of the problems get pushed up to you. The challenge is to recognise when someone is simply passing on their problems and expecting you to solve them.

Knowing which issues to take on board is not easy. But I do know that while I care deeply for my team, not all of their problems belong to me.  And it is not my responsibility to always find a solution to every problem.

Does that sound heartless?

It would be irresponsible of me to believe I have all the answers. I want the absolute best for my team members and I want them to enjoy great and exciting careers. But there is much in business and much in their lives that is beyond my control.

I have learned the hard way that taking on board too much of the emotional cost of business has clouded my judgement and been detrimental to the bottom line.  Yes, the bottom line matters, it matters because it keeps the business in business. My focus should always be on what’s in the best interest of the company. Fortunately, having a strong and reliable inner circle of friends and fellow business owners has helped me to put the burden of worry in perspective.

For instance, advice and experience has taught me that delaying a decision or having blind faith in the future of a dying enterprise costs money and jobs. Running a business into the ground means everyone loses. The simple fact is this, if there is no business, there is no income and there are no jobs.

If we are prudent in our affairs we are being responsible to our families, our investors, and shareholders. We are also being honest with our employees.

The burden of worry is a real business cost because the stress can rob you of energy.  It is surely more responsible to put that energy into managing your firm to the best of your abilities.

I believe if we run our businesses well we can all be part of a growing economy offering more sustainable and better paying jobs. I also believe that by adopting this mindset we can be far more compassionate, supportive and responsible to our teams.  Is it time for you to switch your overwhelming and energy zapping burden of worry for the energising belief that tomorrow will be better?  I hope so.

Anomi