Pass the Sides to Clear Your Plate

One of my clients is a senior tech executive in the trenches of building a high-performing team. The company is scaling at a breakneck pace, her expertise is wildly in demand, and she’s juggling so many urgent needs that even hiring — the thing that would ultimately give her breathing room — keeps getting pushed to “later.”

In other words: she’s leading a team and doing much of its work. Her plate isn’t full. It’s overloaded.

During a recent session, she admitted, “I know I need to delegate…but I don’t know where to start.” 

So I asked: “Instead of heaping all the work on your plate, what if you passed the serving dishes around the table, Thanksgiving-style?”

Not giving work away. Not burdening others. Simply recognizing that there’s plenty of food on the table, and inviting more people to take what they can digest. Letting others contribute rather than assuming she has to carve every slice herself.

While the conversation focused around a seasonal metaphor, it sparked a genuine shift. Her eyes lit up. Her shoulders dropped. She exhaled. And for the first time in weeks, she could actually name what she might hand off, and to whom, creating the space for her to focus on leading and hiring. 

Sound appetizing? Here are three practical tips for effective delegation, or passing the plates. 

1. Start with the smallest side dish. Don’t begin with the turkey. Identify one task that drains you but doesn’t require your unique expertise, such as status updates, scheduling, drafting first-round materials, prepping a brief. Passing something small builds trust and momentum for bigger handoffs later. 
2. Invite people to take what they’re hungry for. Instead of assigning tasks from a place of overwhelm (“Can you just handle this?”), ask your team what they want more exposure to, where they want to stretch, and what they feel confident owning. You’ll be surprised how often the right person naturally raises their hand.
3. Set the table with intention. Delegation doesn’t mean dropping a dish in someone’s lap. Give context, define success, and agree on checkpoints. Clear expectations create freedom! They empower your team and prevent the “I’ll just do it myself” spiral. 

The takeaway? You don’t have to eat the entire meal by yourself.

When you stop gripping the plate and start passing the sides, you create space for your team to grow, for you to breathe, and for everyone to enjoy the work instead of just trying to swallow it whole.

I invite you to consider what you’ve been pushing around your plate that someone else might love to sample. 

Real Talk

If last week’s plate felt a little too full, you’re in good company. Many of us hit Friday realizing the big, meaningful work never made it off the back burner. Sometimes it’s overwhelm, sometimes it’s avoidance, and sometimes it’s…well, anticipation of the final season of Stranger Things calling our name. In this short video, I share three timeless tips to help you shift from scattered to focused and actually make progress on what matters.

Brain Food

Ever wonder why some people always get things done while others seem to float along? A recent Fast Company article breaks down the cognitive habits that help high performers follow through, stay accountable, and actually finish what they start. If your to-do list feels like a full plate, this read offers a clear perspective on how to create more traction and make progress. 

In the Spotlight
WTF (What the Forties?!)

My signature small-group coaching program for women in their 40s is back. WTF (What the Forties?!) kicks off January 22 and it’s the only cohort I’m planning in 2026. It’s built for anyone navigating the messy middle between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.If you can relate to “The Midlife Unraveling” Brené Brown describes, WTF is for you. Enroll by November 30 to secure your seat and save 10%.

Thanks, JLWS! 

Thank you to the Junior League of Winston-Salem for inviting me to be the keynote speaker at last night’s membership meeting! It was amazing to see so many friends (old and new) and tackle the all-to-common experiences of perfectionism, imposter syndrome and burnout.

An Attitude of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’m reminded how meaningful it is to gather around a table — literally and figuratively — and share what we can. Thank you for inviting me into your leadership journey and trusting me to help you sort through what’s on your plate. I’m grateful for your support, encouragement and business, and I’m honored to walk alongside you. Remember, I’m always in your corner. 💪