Why Mid-Sized Business Leaders Burn Out (…and What the Big Companies Do Differently)
After decades of consulting with both large corporations and mid-sized businesses, I’ve come to see one key difference that really matters.
Sure, there are the obvious things. Large companies have more money and more people. Need to launch a new initiative? No problem. A full team gets assigned. Need to bring in outside help? There’s likely a budget line ready for that.
But beyond those surface-level differences, there’s one operational gap that truly defines how these two types of organizations function. And it all comes down to how they handle decisions and tasks.
The Key Difference
In large companies, nearly everything runs through teams. A big decision? It’s investigated by one group, reviewed by another, and approved by a steering committee. Tasks are assigned to directors who delegate to their teams, or they’re handed off to project managers through a formal PMO (Program Management Office) process.
Now let’s talk about mid-sized companies.
In businesses below a certain size, something very different happens. Whether it’s the owner, the president, or another senior leader, that person ends up being involved in almost every task and every decision. They’re deep in the weeds, firefighting all day long, and personally signing off on just about everything.
This works in a small company. But as the company grows, so does the complexity. And that’s when this pattern stops working.
So Why Is That A Problem?
For starters, this model doesn’t scale. There’s only so much one person’s mind can handle, no matter how smart or hardworking they are. Eventually, the complexity outpaces your brain’s physical processing power. That’s not a personal flaw, it’s a law of physics. And that’s one set of laws we can’t break.
Second, the business becomes vulnerable. Things might look okay from the outside: growth, momentum, customers; but behind the scenes, you’re stretched thin. One unexpected economic pothole, and…the whole operation risks sliding into the ditch.
But the third, and biggest, issue? It’s personal.
If you’re leading a mid-sized company, there’s a good chance you’re clocking 60 to 80 hours a week, maybe more. And yes, we’re counting those 3 a.m. wide-awake solo “brainstorming sessions” when your mind just won’t shut off.
You’re hustling nonstop to make decisions, approve tasks, and keep everything moving. You may be even feeling good about yourself, thinking all that you are doing.
But have you thought about what isn’t getting done?
Are you nurturing the long-term relationships that build loyalty with customers, suppliers, and partners?
Are you actively seeking out new opportunities and doing the business development work only you can do?
Are you spending enough time with your family and friends, the people who matter most? (If you’ve got young kids, I dare you to listen to “Cat’s in the Cradle” by the late Harry Chapin before you answer that last one.)
And let’s talk about you, yes, your very own self?
The dream was freedom, wasn’t it? Leading the company, building something lasting, having a team that runs the business while you make strategic calls from your comfy office chair, or a golf course. Leaving work early to catch dinner with your kids after school. Taking a month off for a worry-free vacation.
How far away does that dream feel like now? Far enough that it feels like someone else’s? How are you feeling about yourself now?
But don’t despair! If that dream feels far away for you, first, you’re not alone. Second, here’s the truth: You’re closer to realizing it than you think.
The Way Forward Starts with One Change
What’s the critical difference between those large organizations and your business, in one word?
Teams. It’s how they use teams.
So how do you do that? Building a company that runs on teams instead of leaning entirely on you is a shift in mindset, operating systems, and culture. The solution is simple – but not easy. Still, within 12 weeks (just one quarter!), you could be headed down a completely different path, the one you have been trying to pave all this time.
I don’t have space here to walk you through the full “how,” but I’d be happy to talk it through. If any part of this blog hit home, book a short virtual coffee with me (Peter) or with Tim. No pressure, just a pleasant conversation about what could change for you and your business for the better (and how to get there).
As one of my mentors told me all those years ago, “Peter, suffering is optional”. Don’t keep suffering. Be kind to yourself.