The Constraint That’s Quietly Capping Your Growth

Just to prove this wasn’t written by AI — over the weekend I attended a leadership event and heard the Benham Brothers speak. One moment that stood out was their reminder that the Kingdom of God is meant to influence every area of life — including how we think about leadership, growth, and even wealth. Their teaching on Biblical wealth creation was both challenging and inspiring.

That set the stage for this newsletter’s focus — because it reminded me that multiplication (not just addition) is God’s pattern. And that starts by addressing our biggest constraint.

You’ve gotten clear on your purpose.
You’ve taken courageous next steps.
You’re walking in consistent obedience to your calling.

So why does it still feel like something’s in the way — even with the right team and a solid plan?

In The Goal, a powerful business novel, we’re reminded that no matter how aligned your mission is, the biggest obstacle to progress is almost always a hidden constraint — and often, it’s found in how we use our people.

For many businesses — especially those in the trades — that constraint can be your most experienced team member.

Inside this month’s LEADing Diligently newsletter:

• The operational habit that keeps businesses stuck

• A principle from The Goal that will change how you assign work

• A tactical shift to free your most experienced team members for the work only they can do

• How to accelerate growth by honoring your calling through stewardship

Let’s dig in.

Labor shortages are real. And for small businesses, hiring more top-tier people isn’t always an option. That’s why making the most of the talent you already have isn’t just smart — it’s essential.

In every business, time and labor are among your most precious assets.

But here’s the trap: many businesses — especially in the trades and service industries — keep leaning on their best people for everything. Instead of reserving them for high-level work, they get pulled into solving problems that could’ve been avoided — or delegated — if the rest of the team had been equipped and empowered ahead of time.

Your most trusted people can carry the weight — but they shouldn’t be carrying all of it. At some point, if growth is knocking, you can’t keep using your top talent to put out fires.

You’ve got to free them up so your business can serve more customers, scale with excellence, and stop tripping over its own success.

Just like in The Goal, when your most capable people are over-utilized, growth stalls — not because of effort, but because your business can't scale beyond their limited capacity or availability.

Here’s what the most effective operational teams are doing differently:

1. They identify their constraint — often their most skilled or trusted team member — and protect their time like gold.

2. They front-load projects with prep work, documentation, and coordination — all handled by support staff or junior team members.

3. They use systems and checklists so team members arrive ready — not reactive.

4. They train for autonomy in every task that doesn’t require top-level decision-making or technical skill.

5. They develop people intentionally using LEAD Diligently’s Employee Development Pathway™ — a strategic framework that clarifies roles, builds targeted skills, encourages real-time feedback, and connects day-to-day performance to shared results and long-term growth.

It’s not about pulling back — it’s about making room. Room for growth, room for others to rise, and room for your best people to do the work only they can do.

Journaling Exercise - Three Reflection Questions:

• Where are your most capable people spending time on work others could do with preparation or training?

• What steps could be handled in advance — before your most experienced technicians, carpenters, or team leads step in? You fill in the blank: who on your team is the most valuable resource that’s getting stretched too thin?

• Is growth stalling because you're still the one solving problems that others should be trained to handle?

Take Action

1. Identify one project, job, or client where your top team member is doing work that could be delegated.

2. Reframe your mindset: constraints aren’t enemies. They’re signals. Pay attention to them.

Start this week. Start today. Obedience doesn’t wait for ideal conditions to make progress.

Application - Let’s Put This To Practice

At LEAD Diligently, we believe multiplication begins when we free up our greatest resources to focus on what matters most. Capacity doesn’t grow through hustle — it grows through trust, structure, and stewardship.

This month, take one intentional step to remove the constraint in front of you:

• Spiritual – Stewardship is about order. Are you honoring the roles God has given each person — including yourself?
  Professional – Schedule a 30-minute team review this week: “What are we doing before each project or client engagement to set up success?”
  Personal – Reflect: Are you acting as a constraint in your family, team, or business by holding on to control?

God doesn’t need your perfection—He desires your obedience. And when you step out in faith, even when it feels risky, He meets you there with strength, clarity, and provision.

That’s it for this month’s LEADing Diligently newsletter—I’ll see you again next month!

You’re building something that lasts — but it only works if your foundation is strong.
Reply and let me know: What’s one constraint you're working to fix in your business this month?

— Paul Harstrom

P.S. If you’re looking for deeper clarity in your leadership and purpose, here are a few ways to work with me:
✔ Executive Coaching & Advisory Services
✔ CEO & Emerging Leader MasterMind Groups
✔ Strategic Leadership Consulting
✔ 2-3x Your Business – Systematize and Scale for Sustainable Growth

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