Have you ever had a day like this?
 

The sun is up and coffee is brewing. You pull out your phone and check your calendar for what’s on deck. Then, a text notification: “Morning. I’m sick today. Won’t be able to make it in.” You sigh, curse silently (or loudly. This is you, after all.) and mentally prepare for how you can best make this day work with one less set of hands.

 
How about this kind of afternoon?

You plop down in your desk chair with your jacket still on from lunch. Three upset customers and a 2-star Facebook review, it’s hard to believe it’s barely past noon. The phone rings…and rings. You answer instead. Better make that four customers.

 
A pile of bills on your desk. Unanswered emails. That to-do list that started as a friendly Post-it note and is now of menacing War and Peace length. When you’re behind, there are obvious signs. And one of the easiest thoughts to creep into your own mind and out of the lips of coworkers? “Man, you should really hire someone.”
I should, you think. After all, with more help, I’d be able to get everything done and more.
The potential for what you could accomplish if you just had more people on your team is mighty alluring, like a siren calling you closer. Seems harmless, right? W-r-o-n-g. This thought is a sea witch – and she’ll take you, your crew, and your beautiful metaphorical boat down with her.
When you’re seemingly behind, it’s easy to blame it on being understaffed. And though every business needs a certain number of people to function, it’s not a numbers game.

• Unreturned voicemails don’t disappear by adding another person to answer the phone.
• New sales reps won’t magically convert a lead list to loyal customers.
• Adding a new builder doesn’t shorten your average customer turnaround time.

The ability to accomplish isn’t grounded in having more, but in having better. Do you really need to hire – or are you understaffed in skill?
photo credit: © George Mayer – stock.adobe.com

Writing is great, but having a conversation is better. Is your team understaffed in skill? How can you identify this anyway? Comment below and let’s talk.