“If you’re struggling, just ask for help.” These wise words can come from parents, to their kids. Between family members, and friends, who want to support their nearest and dearest when they’re struggling.

We all need a helping hand from time to time. However, some people either don’t want to, are too embarrassed, or too afraid, to ask.

When it comes to business, on the contrary, the most succesfull leaders ask for help.

In this article I’ll provide you with insights on how seeking external support from Interim Managers, Business Consultants, or NED’s can help you create sustainable business success, and reap the personal and organisational rewards.

The most successful Leaders ask for help

Business leaders, especially in small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) often feel the pressure to wear every hat. Strategy, Operations, Finance, HR, Client relationships… the list never ends.

It’s tempting to believe that holding everything together personally is a sign of strength. Equally, many fall into the trap of believing they’re saving the business money. In reality, the opposite is true.

In fact, more often than not, leaders who try to do everything themselves are restricting their business, and in turn themselves, from fulfilling their full potential.

The most successful leaders recognise they don’t need to have all the answers.

They surround themselves with people who have the right set of skills to support them to achieve the best results.

These savvy leaders know when to lean on internal support. And when to engage external expertise. Whether that’s an Interim Manager to steady the ship.

A professional Business Consultant to accelerate change.

Or a Non-executive Director (NED) to provide independent oversight, Counsel, advice or mentorship.

The most successful business leaders recognise that asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength. A game changer…

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And by seeking the right support, at the right time, they and their business will gain the competitive advantage, and reap the financial rewards.

Why asking for help drives business results

So, next is a brief summary of why asking for help drives business results. Specifically, the business benefits of bringing in external expertise, rather than tying yourself, up trying to do everything on your own.

1. Speed to impact | time is money

When key roles are vacant or projects stall, time is money. Interim managers are proven to deliver rapid, focused change.

They can step into critical leadership roles within days. Keep operations moving, and hand you back a stronger, more capable team.

2. Fresh perspective | external consultants bring objectivity

Internal teams can be too close to their challenges. Interim leaders and external consultants bring objectivity and the courage to challenge groupthink.

Their independence helps leadership teams see risks and opportunities they might otherwise miss.

3. Stronger governance & strategy | focus on sustainable business growth

SMEs often thrive on entrepreneurial drive, but this can leave blind spots in governance and long-term planning.

A well chosen NED brings experience, accountability and clarity, helping owners step back from day-to-day firefighting, and focus on sustainable business growth.

4. Sustainable capability | long lasting improvements

The best external support doesn’t just “fix problems and leave.”

Effective interim professionals transfer knowledge. Coach internal staff, and embed processes, so improvements last long after their assignment ends.

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The cost of doing everything yourself

Leaders who refuse to seek help risk becoming the bottleneck in their own businesses.

Decision making slows down. Opportunities are missed. Stress and isolation build.

All reduce both personal wellbeing, and organisational performance.

Research into SMEs consistently shows that boards and leadership teams with external challenge outperform those without it.

Businesses that bring in experienced NEDs and interim leaders are more resilient.

They grow faster, and are better prepared for investment, or sale.

In short, as a business leader, the cost of doing everything yourself will limit both your personal success and commercial results.

When to call in external expertise

As a leader, you won’t need outside help all the time. But as and when you do, you’ll need it at the right time. To be blunt, hesitation will cost you and your business. Of course, the longer you leave it, the more it will cost.

So, here are some common triggers:

1. Avoid damage

A critical role is vacant and waiting to hire would damage revenue, compliance or investor confidence.

2. Transformation or system implementation

Major transformation or system implementation needs experienced programme leadership.

3. Pulled too deeply into day-to-day operations

The owner, MD, or CEO is pulled too deeply into day-to-day operations, and can’t focus on strategy.

4. Independent challenge

The leadership team would benefit from independent challenge on governance, risk or growth strategy.

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Contact us today to arrange a meeting, & take the first step towards unlocking your business’s full potential.

A quick checklist for SME leaders

The most succesfull leaders ask for help. If you’ve never sought external support before, but realise now that you, and your business, would benefit from seeking outside help, here’s a few tips on engaging an interim manager, consultant or NED, that will set you up for success:

1. Define what success looks like

Define what success looks like in 30, 90 and 180 days.

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2. Case studies & examples

Ask for case studies and examples relevant to your situation.

3. How progress will be measured

Agree how progress will be measured.

Ideally include two or three clear KPIs in your brief.

 4. Transfer of knowledge

Build into your agreement the transfer of knowledge, so the benefits remain after the assignment.

Handled well, external support is not a cost, it’s an investment that creates measurable value.

Ultimately benefiting you and your business, and helping both become more successful.

Final thought

Being a business owner, or the head of a senior leadership team can be a lonely place. In short every one expects you to have all the answers. And in tough times, you are often left feeling isolated.

The most succesfull leaders aren’t afraid to ask for help. They don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, they surround themselves with people who complement their strengths, plug their gaps, and enable their business to keep moving forward.

If you’re an SME leader currently facing a critical challenge, or an opportunity, now may be the right time to bring in an interim manager, independent consultant or NED.

About Pyramid Resource Solutions

At Pyramid Resource Solutions we help leaders like you find the right expertise quickly, so you can focus on leading, not firefighting.

If and when you’re ready to explore how external expertise could unlock growth in your business, get in touch, let’s have a conversation.