What does true delegation mean to you?


As a CEO, you've likely heard that delegation is crucial for growth. But here's the truth: most of us are doing it wrong. We're creating more stress, not less, by misunderstanding what real delegation looks like.

Delegation is a skill. Few people are born naturals. But the good news is skills can be learned.

Today, on the podcast, co-host Tonya Kubo and I are teaching what we’ve seen work..

Here’s what we cover:

  • Why "just hand it off" rarely works
  • The multi-phase process of effective delegation
  • How to overcome the fear that "no one does it like I do"
  • Strategies for holding your team accountable without micromanaging

Ready to transform how you lead and scale your business? Tune in on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

I'd love to hear from you! What delegation challenges are you facing? Your insights could shape future episodes. Simply reply to this email with your thoughts.

Here's to building the business you really want!

Gwen Bortner,
Everyday Effectiveness


My Best Tips for Working from Home

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with productivity expert Gale Bates, who hosts a YouTube series on how to work from home effectively.

What I enjoyed most about the interview was being able to acknowledge how I’ve designed my life to avoid at-home distractions.

Watch the full episode to find out why my methods often go against typical "expert" advice and how these strategies can be applied to your own work-from-home journey. And if you listen to the whole episode, you’ll hear Gale mention Tonya and the tech stack we use in our organization (Slack, Google Workspace, etc.).


Will You be at Quilt Market in Houston?

There are few things I love more than leading business workshops. But when I get to pair teaching with my love of fiber arts, it feels like Christmas has come early.

I have the privilege of teaching three sessions at Quilt Market, which takes place in Houston from Oct. 26-28. If you’re going to be there, let me know by replying here AND make sure to visit me in between sessions at the Cherrywood Hand-Dyed Fabrics booth. Cherrywood has been a longtime client of mine and I enjoy seeing their event setup every chance I get.

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

  • Schedule a call to discuss how I can help you design your business with intention.
  • Join the Small Biz Book Club to discuss applying big ideas from business books to small business reality.
  • Book me as a speaker or podcast guest.

PO Box 1133, Merced, CA 95341
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Everyday Effectiveness | Biz Ops Exposed

Gwen Bortner is a no-nonsense Operational Strategist and Business Advisor with an intuitive coaching mindset. She helps visionary female entrepreneurs achieve their most ambitious goals without the stress and overwhelm of trying to do it all on their own. Her approach comes from the belief that personal and professional success looks different for everyone, and most business owners waste time and energy trying to conform to outside expectations and definitions of success. From finance to IT, and small business operations to academia, Gwen has seen cookie-cutter strategies put organizations on the fast track to frustration, burnout, and eventually failure. Problem-solving is her zone of genius, and Gwen can quickly discern the root cause of issues, simplify systems and processes, then create the most direct path to any given solution.

Read more from Everyday Effectiveness | Biz Ops Exposed
Gwen and Tonya are shown together sitting at Gwen's dining room table. Microphones in front of them, Gwen has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and Tonya's chin-length curly slat-and-pepper hair is as tame as it'll ever be. Both women wear glasses

— When it comes to business success, accountability is often touted as a key ingredient. But most of what passes for accountability isn't true accountability at all. True accountability isn't about being reliable, or simply checking off tasks. It's a two-way street that involves reporting to someone who genuinely cares about your results and is invested in your success. This person isn't just passively receiving updates; they're actively engaged in examining your progress, offering feedback,...

Gwen and Tonya are shown together sitting at Gwen's dining room table. Microphones in front of them, Gwen has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and Tonya's chin-length curly slat-and-pepper hair is as tame as it'll ever be. Both women wear glasses

— I've got a question for you: Are you tackling your business problems in the right order? In my years of advising entrepreneurs, I've noticed success isn’t just about identifying the right problems. It’s about addressing them in the correct sequence. Solving issues in the wrong order can lead to wasted time, money, and energy. I once worked with a client who was constantly hiring and firing team members, convinced they had a "people problem." But when we dug deeper, we discovered that...

Gwen and Tonya are shown together sitting at Gwen's dining room table. Microphones in front of them, Gwen has her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and Tonya's chin-length curly slat-and-pepper hair is as tame as it'll ever be. Both women wear glasses

— As an entrepreneur, you've likely heard the advice “You need better systems!” countless times or maybe you’re the one scolding yourself for a lack of system. I bet you've even invested in fancy project management software or hired consultants to create standard operating procedures (SOPs). But what if I told you that you already have systems in place — whether you realize it or not? That's right. Those daily habits and routines you perform without thinking? Those are your systems. And some...