Forum Discussion

AnthonySalazar's avatar
AnthonySalazar
Verified Community Coach
3 days ago

Should owners still work in the field once they have employees?

I think there’s a balance.

An owner who never touches the field can lose sight of what the team is actually dealing with.

Long drive times.
Bad notes.
Locked gates.
Difficult yards.
Awkward customer requests.
Routes that look fine on the calendar but feel rough in real life.

Getting back in the field occasionally keeps you connected to the work and helps you spot problems you won’t see from behind a screen.

But there’s a danger too.

If the business only survives because the owner jumps in every time there’s a gap, the owner may still be the safety net holding everything together.

I’ve had seasons where covering routes was necessary. Employees were out, someone was leaving, or the schedule had to get done.

That’s part of ownership.

But if it becomes the normal plan, burnout creeps in fast.

The field can teach you what needs to be fixed.

It shouldn’t become the place you hide from fixing it.

Do you still work in the field, or have you fully removed yourself from production?

2 Replies

  • HUGEHomePros's avatar
    HUGEHomePros
    Verified Community Coach

    I think if you are trying to grow there you can't work in the field. Obviously some people have to because they don't have the staff/ cash to pay for support staff. I think you should have someone to replicate your production in the field then you'll need one or two other people to generate enough revenue to pay for you to be in the office. 

  • I think there’s definitely a balance. I believe staying involved in the actual work is important, especially while you’re still growing. It keeps you connected to the customer experience and helps you understand what your team will eventually deal with.

    But I also think the goal should be to build systems that allow the business to run without the owner having to jump in every time something goes wrong. Working in the business can teach you what needs to change, working on the business is what allows you to grow. 💪🚗