If You Want Something Done Right...

EP12: If You Want Something Done Right…

Leadership in 5 | Execution Is Not a Pep Talk

What if doing it yourself is the problem… not the solution?

This episode confronts the hidden cost of founder rescue mode.

Because if the standard only gets met when you step in, that’s not leadership. That’s babysitting the system.

We’re not talking about letting go of excellence—we’re talking about building a team and system that can carry your standard without your constant oversight.

If you’re a founder or executive who keeps jumping in to “just get it done,” this episode is for you. Especially if you’re ready to stop carrying everything yourself—and start building something that can run without you.

We’ll unpack:

• Why doing it yourself feels noble—but kills capability
• The emotional payoff of rescuing the work (and why it’s dangerous)
• How stepping in trains your team to step back
• The difference between protecting the brand and avoiding discomfort
• A direct challenge to scale leadership—not just effort

Reflection Questions (from the episode):

• Where do you keep rescuing the work instead of reinforcing the system?
• What expectation or behavior are you avoiding addressing?
• What would happen if you didn’t step in next time?
• Are you building capability—or dependency?

Bonus Reflection Questions (for deeper insight):

• What part of your identity is tied to being the fixer?
• Where is “I’ll just do it myself” keeping you stuck in founder mode?
• What would it look like to lead through standards, not saves?
• If your team never rises… is it because you never step aside?

Links and Resources:

The right question changes everything. Grab the free Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

Connect with James on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Want to learn more or work together? → JamesMayhew.com