An A-Player is not scalable. Hiring one – or, even worse, multiple – is going to cause you to be chained by the golden handcuffs, losing Friday nights as you micromanage communications or sales.

The Problem with Relying on A-Players

Consider this scenario: You assign a project task to an A-Player. They complete it flawlessly, but you lose half of your profit margins in the process. The work is done, but at what cost? The problem becomes glaringly apparent when you start scaling and taking on more projects than a single A-Player can handle.

So, you hire a second team member, someone more affordable because your margins are dwindling. You ask them to complete the same task for a different client. Can you expect the same quality of work? Maybe, but probably not. Without quality control triggers, delivery processes, and fail-safe protocols, you rely on blind chance, which is not a sustainable foundation for scaling a business.

The Secret to Scaling: Systems and Processes

A-Players cannot be cloned. However, their actions, thought processes, and decision-making can be replicated through well-designed systems and processes. Systems and processes are the true secret to scaling a business, not the individual talents of A-Players.

You need to create a system that can be duplicated, transforming any team member into someone who operates like an A-Player and produces perfect outcomes consistently. Impossible? Over 1000 companies we've helped beg to differ.

The Role of the Founder in Building Systems

As the founder, your job is to clear the path for your team, making their lives easier so they can simplify yours. Don't just delegate tasks like "create a new ad campaign" or "follow up with this lead." Instead, break down these tasks into actionable steps with visuals, text explanations, and videos showing exactly what to do.

Create a series of easy-to-understand tasks that even someone with minimal experience can follow. I'd rather see 27 clear, actionable items that anyone could complete rather than a chaotic list of broad tasks prone to misinterpretation.

Building Reliable Systems

When building your next process, imagine assigning it to ten different team members. Will each one deliver the exact same result? If not, your process allows for assumption, misinterpretation, or random creativity. Avoid making assumptions about what people know or the decisions they'll make.

A system should remove room for assumption and interpretation, solving problems before the team encounters them. This predictability is crucial for scaling.

The Importance of Systems in Team Performance

Good leaders are hard to find. Systems tell people what to do and are the multiplier. Poor systems with good people result in poor outcomes, while great systems with average people yield excellent results.

Systems should do the thinking and problem-solving for your team. This way, you can hire anyone, even someone with minimal experience, and expect them to deliver consistent, high-quality results.

The CEO’s Role: Clearing the Path

The role of the CEO is to clear the path for the team. People want to do good work but often aren't shown how to execute it correctly. Build systems that enable anyone to perform at an A-Player level.

Don't rely on individual talent; rely on your systems. Don't scale your business on people; scale it on systems you own. Systems are predictable; people are not. Your business systems should do the thinking for your team, allowing anyone to generate predictable results.

The Benefits of Effective Systems

When you have reliable systems in place, you gain free time to spend with family and friends, with work done right the first time. Clients will praise your business and refer others to you, confident that your team can handle the additional workload.

By building systems that ensure consistency and predictability, you create a business that can scale efficiently without being dependent on A-Players. This approach not only simplifies your life as a business owner but also ensures long-term success and growth for your company.