When being the go-to guy is killing your business (and your energy)
Drew sat in our coaching session, visibly frustrated.
He'd just taken another call from his team. A problem on site. Something that "only he could fix." The third interruption in the first hour of our session alone.
"I normally would say yes, there's someone who can answer the questions. But the person I thought could handle it is the person I was just trying to help because he didn't know what to do either."
Sound familiar?
Drew ran a successful trade business. Work was coming in. The team was growing. From the outside, everything looked good.
But Drew was drowning — not in work, but in constant interruptions, problem-solving for everyone else, and the mental exhaustion of being everyone's solution.
This is the story of how Drew went from being pulled in every direction to protecting his energy, empowering his team, and actually enjoying running his business again.
The Starting Point: When High Energy Doesn't Mean High Performance
When Drew first joined our Powerpass coaching program, he was what we call a "high shark" personality — driven, results-oriented, works at 110% all the time.
He loved his business. He loved sales, marketing, networking, building client relationships. He had high energy for leadership and team culture.
But something was off.
His energy would peak in the morning — ready to smash through his task list, make progress, build the business.
Then the phone calls would start.
"Literally my energy goes like this," Drew explained, showing a sharp drop on his energy map. "When I start getting phone calls and having to problem-solve for other people, it crashes. Then in the afternoon when everyone's gone home for the day, all of a sudden I've got everything back."
The pattern was clear: Drew's energy wasn't being drained by the work. It was being drained by constant interruptions and being everyone's problem solver.
And it was costing him more than just energy.
The Breaking Point: When You Can't Focus on What Actually Matters
Drew's typical day looked like this:
Morning (High Energy):
- Ready to tackle quotes, marketing, business development
- Phone rings — team needs help with a decision
- Phone rings again — client has a question
- Phone rings again — staff member doesn't know what to do next
By 11am: Energy crashed. Focus gone. Tasks incomplete.
Afternoon: Finally gets some headspace back when everyone goes home.
"I was late back to this call because the person I thought could answer questions was the person I was trying to help out because he didn't know. There's always going to be one every now and then."
But it wasn't just "every now and then." It was constant.
Drew was stuck in a cycle:
- Try to do high-value work (sales, marketing, strategy)
- Get interrupted by team needing help
- Solve their problem
- Try to get back to work
- Get interrupted again
- Repeat
His mornings — his highest energy time — were being consumed by other people's problems.
And the worst part? He was training his team to depend on him.
The Reality Check: You're the Bottleneck
During our coaching session, we mapped out Drew's energy throughout the day.
The pattern was undeniable:
- Morning peak: High energy, ready to go
- Mid-morning crash: Phone calls start, problem-solving kicks in
- Afternoon recovery: Team goes home, energy returns
Then we looked at his high-energy vs low-energy tasks:
High Energy (What Lights Him Up):
- Lead generation and networking
- Marketing and sales
- Job management and assigning work
- Team culture and leadership
- Building client relationships
Low Energy (What Drains Him):
- Performance management
- Constant problem-solving for team
- Being pulled away from focus work
- Managing staff who lack confidence
The disconnect was obvious: Drew was spending his highest energy time on his lowest energy tasks.
And his team? They had no incentive to solve problems themselves when Drew would just do it for them.
"When I'm on site working at 110%, it ends up not just them going 'how do we keep up with it,' but also 'he's here so we'll just let him handle it.' Rather than me coaching them through it, I end up just cutting people down and they subconsciously slack off because what's the point? He'll just get it done himself."
Drew was working harder. His team was working less. And everyone's energy was suffering.
The Turning Point: Energy Management Over Time Management
We introduced Drew to a concept that changed everything:
It's not about managing your time. It's about managing your energy.
Everyone gets the same 24 hours. But not everyone has the same energy throughout those hours.
The revelation: Drew needed to protect his high-energy time for high-energy tasks — and stop letting low-energy tasks (like constant problem-solving) hijack his best hours.
We worked with Drew on several key shifts:
Shift #1: Match Tasks to Energy, Not Just Time
Instead of thinking "I'll do quotes in the morning because that's when I have time," Drew started thinking "I'll do quotes in the morning because that's when I have energy."
The rule: High-energy tasks during high-energy times. Low-energy tasks (or physical tasks that create energy) during low-energy times.
For Drew:
- Morning peak energy: Sales calls, marketing strategy, client relationships, business development
- Mid-morning dip: Physical site work, movement, inspections (movement creates energy)
- Afternoon recovery: Team culture activities, reviewing completed work
Shift #2: Turn Off the Phone (Yes, Really)
This was controversial. Drew's first reaction: "But what if there's an emergency?"
We challenged him: "What's the worst that could happen if you turned your phone off for one hour?"
The honest answer? Nothing catastrophic.
So Drew started implementing "focus blocks" — specific times where his phone was on Do Not Disturb and his team knew he was unavailable.
The result? Tasks that used to take half a day (with constant interruptions) now took 60-90 minutes of focused time.
Shift #3: Stop Telling, Start Asking
Drew's natural style was to tell his team what to do each morning, then get frustrated when they didn't follow through or came back with questions.
We introduced him to the "One Minute Manager" approach: Don't solve their problems. Help them solve their own problems.
Instead of: "Here's what you need to do on this job."
Drew started asking: "What's your plan for this job? Walk me through it."
Instead of: "No, that's wrong. Do it this way."
He started asking: "How do you think we could do this better? What would you try?"
"It was honestly so helpful. You don't have to solve their problems. You encourage them to solve their own problems so they don't have to call you."
The shift: From Drew being the answer to Drew being the coach.
Shift #4: Support Risk-Taking (Even When It Costs Money)
This was hard. Really hard.
Drew's team made a mistake — cut into a cathedral ceiling. Cost the business $600 to fix.
Old Drew would have blown up. Been frustrated. Made it clear how disappointed he was.
New Drew?
"I just went there and said, 'Okay, it was only an hour and a half fix, but this is actually what it cost the business: $600. I'm not going to be upset about that as long as we know for next time. What do we need to double-check?'"
The team's response? They identified what went wrong and what they'd do differently next time.
No yelling. No blame. Just learning.
Drew's realisation: "We probably make more mistakes than all our staff in quoting, planning, everything. So who am I to have zero tolerance for their mistakes?"
The Practical Systems Drew Put in Place
Here's exactly what Drew implemented to protect his energy and empower his team:
System #1: Daily Job Sheets
Instead of Drew telling the team what to do each morning, they now write their own job sheets.
Each team member lists:
- What they're going to achieve today
- What they'll complete by end of week
- Any questions or support needed
Why it works: The team takes ownership. Drew coaches rather than directs.
System #2: Focus Blocks
Drew blocked out specific times in his calendar where:
- Phone is on Do Not Disturb
- Team knows he's unavailable unless it's a genuine emergency
- He works on high-energy tasks (sales, marketing, strategy)
Morning focus block: 8-10am — No interruptions, high-value work only
Result: Tasks that took half a day now take 90 minutes.
System #3: End-of-Day Team Meetings
Drew's team suggested something brilliant: Move team meetings from morning to end of day.
Why? In the morning, everyone's high energy and wants to get started. Sitting in a meeting feels like wasted time.
End of day? Lower energy anyway. Perfect time to debrief, plan tomorrow, and wrap up.
Drew's reaction: "Yeah, maybe we need to change that up. They just said mornings they want to get into it, not sit around discussing maps."
System #4: "One Minute Manager" Culture
Drew trained his team on the One Minute Manager approach:
When someone comes to him with a problem, he asks:
- "What do you think we should do?"
- "How would you handle this?"
- "What's your solution?"
The shift: Team members started solving 70% of problems themselves. Drew only got pulled in for the truly complex issues.
System #5: Weekly Energy Audit
Drew started tracking:
- What drained his energy each week
- What gave him energy
- Where he was spending high-energy time on low-energy tasks
The awareness alone helped him make better decisions about what to delegate, what to eliminate, and what to protect.
If you're struggling to step off the tools and empower your team, check out our post on Case Study: How One Builder Stepped Off the Tools and Built a Thriving Team for more strategies that actually work.
The Results: From Firefighter to Leader
Within three months of implementing these changes, Drew saw dramatic shifts:
✅ Energy levels stabilised — No more mid-morning crashes from constant interruptions
✅ High-value work got done — Sales, marketing, strategy actually happened during peak energy times
✅ Team became more independent — 70% fewer "urgent" calls asking Drew to solve problems
✅ Mistakes became learning opportunities — Team took ownership and improved without fear
✅ Phone anxiety decreased — Knowing he had protected focus time reduced stress
✅ Family time improved — Could pick kids up from sport without guilt or phone interruptions
✅ Business growth accelerated — More time on sales/marketing = more quality work coming in
Drew's biggest realisation:
"I need to not let my emotional state take over my practical state. When I get a phone call that throws me off, I've now got to evaluate and reassess where I'm sitting rather than just reacting."
The financial impact:
While Drew didn't share specific numbers, the results were clear:
- More focused time on sales and marketing brought in better-quality leads
- Team independence meant Drew could focus on business growth, not firefighting
- Reduced stress meant better decision-making and fewer costly mistakes
The personal impact:
"I can fill my time with picking the kids up from sport or doing something. It's a switch-off and I'm still keeping busy. I'm doing it for them, but I'm really doing it for me as well."
Drew finally had the mental space to be present — both in his business and with his family.
The Lessons: What Other Tradies Can Learn from Drew's Journey
Drew's story isn't unique. We see this pattern all the time with trade business owners:
You're capable. You're skilled. You care about your team and your clients. And that's exactly why you're drowning.
Here's what Drew learned that every tradie needs to hear:
1. Being available 24/7 doesn't make you a good boss — it makes you a bottleneck
Your team will never learn to solve problems if you're always there to solve them first.
"It's okay to turn off your phone. Ask yourself: What's the worst that could happen?"
2. Energy management beats time management every time
You can't create more hours in the day. But you can protect your high-energy hours for high-value work.
Match your tasks to your energy, not just your calendar.
3. Tell your team = They'll forget. Ask your team = They'll own it
When you tell people what to do, they're just following orders. When you ask them to figure it out, they're building skills.
"One Minute Manager" isn't just a book. It's a business-changing philosophy.
4. Your standards are killing your team's confidence
If you work at 110%, your team will never measure up. And they'll stop trying.
"No one is going to work as hard as me in my business. It's my business. So I need to lower my expectations to 70-80% and celebrate when they hit that."
5. Mistakes aren't failures — they're investments in your team's growth
Every mistake your team makes is an opportunity for them to learn. If you blow up, they'll hide mistakes next time.
Cost of fixing the mistake: $600
Value of the lesson learned: Priceless
6. Your personality drives your energy — work with it, not against it
Drew's a high shark — fast-paced, results-driven, loves the chase.
Performance management and hand-holding? Not his jam.
The solution: Build systems and support around his strengths. Delegate or systematise the rest.
What to Do If You're the Drew in Your Business
If Drew's story sounds familiar — if you're constantly interrupted, drained by problem-solving, and struggling to focus on what actually matters — here's where to start:
Step 1: Map Your Energy
Track your energy throughout a typical day:
- When do you feel most energised?
- When does your energy crash?
- What tasks give you energy?
- What tasks drain you?
This awareness alone will change how you structure your day.
Step 2: Identify Your High-Energy vs Low-Energy Tasks
Go through everything you do in your business and label it:
- High energy: Tasks that light you up, make you feel purposeful
- Low energy: Tasks that drain you, make you procrastinate
Be honest. Just because you "should" like something doesn't mean you do.
Step 3: Protect Your High-Energy Time
Block out your highest energy hours for your highest energy (and highest value) tasks.
For most people: Mornings are peak energy. Use them wisely.
Turn off your phone. Close your email. Tell your team you're unavailable.
Step 4: Train Your Team to Solve Their Own Problems
Stop answering every question. Start asking:
- "What do you think we should do?"
- "How would you handle this?"
- "What have you tried already?"
Read (or listen to) "The One Minute Manager" — it's 45 minutes that will change your business.
Step 5: Support Risk-Taking
Your team will make mistakes. That's okay.
Focus on: What did we learn? How do we do it better next time?
Not on: Why did you screw this up?
Mistakes are investments in your team's independence.
Step 6: Get Support
You can't see your own blind spots. You can't coach yourself through this.
That's what we're here for.
Why Drew's Approach Works (And Why Most Tradies Struggle)
Most tradies approach team development backwards.
They think: "If I just work harder, set a better example, be more available — my team will step up."
The reality: The more available you are, the less your team has to think for themselves.
Drew learned this the hard way:
"When I'm on site at 110%, the team just slacks off because what's the point? He'll just get it done himself."
The shift: From being the hero to being the coach.
From solving every problem to teaching his team to solve their own.
From working harder to working smarter — by managing energy, not just time.
And it's not just about the business.
It's about getting your life back. Being present for your kids. Having energy left at the end of the day.
"I've got better family-life balance at the moment. We don't have huge money issues. Yeah, we're in a relatively good spot. But I still stress. And I'm learning to just enjoy being in the position we're in."
Ready to Stop Being Everyone's Problem Solver?
If you're constantly interrupted, drained by managing your team, and struggling to focus on what actually grows your business — our Powerpass 1:1 Coaching Program can help.
We work with tradie business owners every week who are dealing with exactly what Drew dealt with: high energy, big goals, but completely drained by being everyone's go-to person.
Our Powerpass 1:1 Coaching gives you:
- Personalised energy mapping and task management strategies
- Support in building systems that empower your team (not drain you)
- Accountability to actually implement (not just talk about) changes
- Access to coaches who understand trade businesses and energy management
Book a What To Fix First call with us and let's talk about what's really draining your energy — and how to get it back.
On your What To Fix First call, we'll have:
- A relaxed, no-pressure chat to see what level of business you're at
- A chance to share what's working — and what's not
- Raw, honest convo about where you want to go (and what's getting in the way)
- Real talk about how we can support you — if it makes sense for both sides
Bring your questions. Bring your chaos. We're here for it.
No judgement. No pressure. Just real strategies from people who've been exactly where you are.
Because you didn't start your business to be everyone's problem solver. You started it to build something great.
Let's get your energy — and your business — working for you again.
Book your What To Fix First call here — and stop being the bottleneck in your own business.
"I need to not let my emotional state take over my practical state. That's been huge for me." — Drew
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