What do you do when your team is overwhelmed, overworked, and coming apart at the seams?

You take work off their plate for them, right? I mean, that might instinctively seem like an obvious answer. Or you might push everyone to work harder, optimize their time, and somehow get more done.

But what if there’s a third option?

In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when there is simply too much work moving through too few people — and why the answer isn’t always to work harder. Instead, we need to ask a different question: Who is best suited to do this work, and where does the work actually belong?

I share a story from my time as a VP running a billion-dollar sales team, when I learned that my greatest value wasn’t in doing the tactical work my team was already doing. My value was in the strategic thinking, identifying opportunities, and moving the business forward. I also share my “90% approach” — getting the work to 90%, then bringing in the people closest to the work to add what I couldn’t see.

Because great leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing where you add the most value, trusting your team’s expertise, and creating enough space for everyone to do their best work.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Overload can be a routing problem.

When too much work is passing through too few people, the answer may not be to work harder. Look at who is best suited to do the work and where the work actually belongs.

2. Know your zone of genius.

As a leader, your job isn’t to go back and do the work you were once promoted for doing. Get clear on where you bring the greatest value, where you are energized, and where your strengths can move the business forward.

3. Get to 90%, then invite your team in.

You don't need to finish everything alone. Get clear on the direction, then ask your team: What am I missing? What would you add? What would you delete? This creates ownership, uses their expertise, and builds trust.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

The 90% Approach – Lori’s practice of getting strategic work to 90% before bringing in her team to add their expertise, perspective, and knowledge.

Zone of Genius – Understanding where you, as a leader, add the most value and where your strengths, energy, and perspective are best used.

Ritz-Carlton – Lori references the well-known example of Ritz-Carlton empowering employees to resolve guest issues on the spot, illustrating what can happen when leaders trust their people to make decisions.

Positive Intent – The leadership practice of trusting that people are showing up each day intending to do the right thing and give their best.

✨ Reflection Prompts:

What work are you currently doing that someone else may actually be better suited to own?

Where is your zone of genius, and are you spending enough of your time there?

What could you bring to 90% and then hand to your team by asking, “What am I missing? What would you add? What would you delete?”

What is one decision your team could make without you?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

CEOs, executives, and leaders managing overloaded teams

Leaders who find themselves absorbing work instead of leading strategically

Managers who want to create more ownership and decision-making within their teams

High-achieving women who want to lead with more trust, clarity, and joy

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori at loripyne.com.

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a five-star review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show.

📲 Share this episode with a leader who may be carrying work that doesn’t belong to them.