Don't know how to step back? Common fears of the expectant business owner and how you can set things up to succeed

Key takeaways

• Consider mapping out a handover or delegation plan.
• Empower your team players.
• Set clear boundaries on when to contact you – and when not to!
• Think about bringing in expertise if needed. 
• Complete a support plan. 

Wondering how your business will cope in your absence? Stressing more about the business than the actual baby who's about to come into your life? You're not alone.  

As a business owner, you can feel like your business is your baby. You've nurtured it, grown it, and probably had many sleepless nights because of it. Now a real baby is coming into your life, it can be hard to step back or take a break from your professional baby to care for a new one. 

It's hard to let go – and you probably don’t want to! 

For some, stepping away – even for a short time – can seem impossible. At this time, your mind might be in overdrive. Will you still be able to run the business? Service clients? Make sales? What if clients leave? All these unknowns are common fears many business owners experience in the lead-up to having a baby or going on parental leave.  

You can't control everything, and we are not about to tell you to let go of your business. But you can put plans in place to help you manage the business and your sanity while you take the time you need with your new baby.   

A delegation plan  

While mapping out a handover or delegation plan can seem like one more piece of life admin you don't have time for, it is really beneficial to everyone involved in your business.  

Ideally, you will have started this before announcing your pregnancy/adoption news to allay any staff concerns and let them know what's happening in your absence. Just as you would hand over when leaving a workplace; a leave delegation plan covers the transfer of knowledge, tasks, key responsibilities, and deliverables – it also details what areas you want to stay across even after baby arrives.  

Having a roadmap in place helps mitigate any miscommunication and uncertainty. It will also help you get back up to speed on your return.    

Get started with your delegation plan here

Empowering your team  

If you have employees, are they empowered to cover your key responsibilities and tasks when you are away? You might not feel ready to hand over the reins, but after the baby comes, you may not want (or have the energy) to be putting out fires every day. Give yourself the best possible chance of being able to spend the time you want with your family by considering what your team needs to be ready. Is it mentoring? Shadowing you for a week? Training? Make a plan to build their skills and play to their strengths.  

Setting clear boundaries  

Set clear boundaries for when it's OK for staff to contact you (i.e. not calling to ask for the alarm code while you or your partner are in labour), and for what decisions need your input or buy-in while you're on leave. Perhaps it's approval for expenses over a certain amount or for help to navigate trickier clients. By setting clear boundaries around core management decisions, your team will be able to be autonomous with the safety net of contacting you when appropriate.  

Consider hiring expertise 

If you aren't sure the team has the right skills to manage in your absence, you might consider hiring someone with more expertise. Keep in mind the time you'll need to train them and manage any team dynamics that arise with onboarding someone new.  

Support plans  

Who will pick up the baby from daycare if they are sick? Who can you call in an emergency? Where will you get reliable and practical health information? What are the helpline numbers to call if you need to talk to someone? The answers are in your support plan. This is a document for you and your partner, if you have one, to help navigate the first year of parenthood. Covering everything from emergency contacts to who will stack the dishwasher, this document is a sanity saver for new parents.   

What if the business is just me?  

If you're a sole trader, you literally are the business. You may not want to pass the reins over to someone else or have the means to do so. Neither do you want to lose what you've spent precious time creating. If this is you, take a look at our article on setting your business up so you can have the time you need with your new baby.