I hired a team to help me… so why am I still so overwhelmed?

I remember the exact moment I realized something was off.

I had just wrapped a busy week — team meetings, deadlines, launches — and my inbox was still overflowing with questions. Slack notifications were piling up.

And even though I’d hired a team to help me, I still felt like I was holding everything together with duct tape and a prayer.

I’m sure you know the moment, right?

That quiet realization that you’re “supported”… but still deeply tired.

Trust me, you’re not alone.

In fact, this is one of the most common pain points I hear from coaches and service providers who’ve outgrown the solo stage:

“I thought hiring a team would make things easier. So why do I feel more overwhelmed than ever?”

Let’s talk about it.

You hired smart, capable people. So what’s the problem?

If your team is talented, but things still feel clunky, it’s not because you’ve necessarily picked the wrong people.

It’s actually more likely because your business has outgrown its current structure.

When we first start out, we do everything ourselves.

We get used to juggling all the hats, all the responsibilities, all the decisions. And we become really good at it.

So when it’s time to bring in help, we assume we can just “hand stuff off” and it’ll magically lighten the load.

But without a clear structure, like clearly defined roles, expectations, and workflows, handing things off doesn’t make your business simpler. It just spreads the confusion.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

• You’re still the one answering every Slack ping, clarifying every next step
• You’re approving every task, even when you wish someone else just owned it
• You have team members who are great at what they do, but they’re unsure where the boundaries are… and so are you

Can you relate?

You didn’t hire wrong. You just haven’t built the system your team needs to succeed without you in the middle of everything.

The Hard Truth: A team without systems will always default to YOU

Let me say that one again: A team without systems will always default to YOU.

When your team isn’t crystal-clear on what to do, how to do it, and how success is measured, they’re going to turn to you for answers. Every time.

And you? You become the fallback. The human glue. The project manager, even if that’s not your title.

And you already know that this kind of support isn’t actually support. It’s dependency dressed up in good intentions.

So if you’re waking up anxious about what your team might need from you or constantly responding to messages that start with “Hey, quick Q…” that’s not leadership. That’s exhaustion on a slow drip.

Because without the right systems, every new hire just adds more volume to the noise.

What will fix it? Clarity. Structure. A new model for how your business and your team operate together.

The Reframe: It’s not about managing people — it’s about managing clarity.

Let’s reframe this leadership thing.

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s not about being available 24/7. And it’s definitely not about doing everything better or faster yourself.

Leadership is about creating clarity.

Clarity in:

• Roles: Who owns what, and what “ownership” really means.
• Expectations: What done looks like, how results are measured, and when to escalate.
• Communication: What gets shared, when, and how.

When your team has that clarity, you don’t need to micromanage. You don’t need to chase updates. You don’t even need to “delegate better.”

Because the system does the heavy lifting for you.

And that’s when real support begins.

So what’s the missing piece?

If you’ve hired well, but you’re still overwhelmed, the problem isn’t who is on your team — it’s how your team is functioning.

That’s why I designed The Aligned Team Model.

We start with a FREE Systems Starter Session — where we map your current team structure, pinpoint the root causes of overwhelm, and design a path forward that feels spacious, not stressful.

This is NOT about adding more software, more meetings, or more pressure.

It’s about:

• Creating clear roles and responsibilities (so your team knows what “done” looks like)
• Installing repeatable workflows (so you stop solving the same problems twice)
• Building a communication rhythm that actually works (without babysitting)

And most importantly?

It’s about giving you permission to lead with confidence, not control.

It’s about building a business that doesn’t rely on your proximity to function.

It’s about giving your team the structure they need and giving you the breathing room you deserve.

You don’t need a bigger team. You need a better foundation.

Your next level isn’t about hiring five more people. Let’s build the systems that allow your current team to operate with clarity, autonomy, and consistency.

And that’s exactly what we do in a Systems Starter Session.

Together, we’ll:

• Unpack what’s actually keeping you stuck in the loop
• Design the systems your business needs to scale with ease
• And begin transforming your team from a source of stress into a true support system

You built this business. Now let’s build the structure it needs to run.

I’m ready when you are.

— Leeann