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

“If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

You’ve probably said it.

You’ve definitely lived it.

And for a while it works.

The client gets the deliverable.

The project hits the deadline.

The fire gets put out.

But here’s the truth:

If you keep stepping in every time something falls short…

If you keep rescuing the work…

If the standard only gets met when you touch it personally…

You’re not building a business.

You’re babysitting your standard.

Hi, I’m James and you’re listening to Leadership in 5.

Let me say something that might sting:

You are not the hero.

And if you keep leading like you are, you’re going to break your team…

or burn yourself out…

or both.

I know that’s sharp.

But I’m not here to make friends.

I’m here to change your trajectory.

This episode is for the leader who wants to lead with confidence that’s grounded by humility.

That means being willing to hear the hard truth, especially when it’s aimed at you.

So here it is:

If your standard can’t survive without you, then you don’t have a standard.

You have a dependency.

And every time you “just do it yourself,”

you’re reinforcing that dependency.

Let’s go deeper.

You’re not stepping in because you’re lazy.

You’re not doing it to feel important.

You’re doing it because it feels easier.

Because training takes time.

Correcting takes clarity.

Delegating takes discipline.

And sometimes, you’re tired.

Sometimes, you just need it done.

But those quick saves?

They cost more than you realize.

Here’s what I’ve seen—over and over again:

The founder who keeps reworking the proposal.

The manager who just takes over the client call.

The executive who steps in to fix the numbers the night before the board meeting.

It looks like ownership.

But it’s actually avoidance.

Avoidance of the real issue:

Your team isn’t clear.

Your system isn’t strong.

Your expectations aren’t calibrated.

And instead of addressing that, you’ve become the safety net.

Let me ask you this:

What if the next time something slipped through the cracks…

you didn’t pick it up?

What would happen?

Would the client feel it?

Would the team scramble?

Would the reputation take a hit?

Probably.

But maybe that pain is necessary.

Because until your system can hold the standard without you,

you’re the only one who’s growing.

And your business isn’t built to depend on one person.

So here’s your challenge this week:

The next time you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll just handle it,”

stop.

Ask yourself:

Why is this still landing on me?

What expectation is unclear?

What system or behavior needs reinforcement?

Am I protecting the business—or just protecting my comfort?

You are capable of more than just saving the day.

You are capable of building something that doesn’t need saving.

Not because you checked out—

but because you built it right.

And that’s worth thinking about today.