In this first episode of Series 2, The People Puzzle, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes kick off the hiring conversation by tackling one of the biggest milestones in business growth: hiring your first team member.

They explore the signs that signal it’s time to hire, why waiting until burnout hits can stall momentum, and how creating capacity before overwhelm is a powerful leadership move. Ashley and Nichole also unpack the freedom that comes with delegation, common roles that make strong first hires, and why chasing a “unicorn” employee often leads to frustration.

Listeners are guided through the mindset shifts required to embrace hiring as a growth opportunity, not a risk, and encouraged to take imperfect yet intentional action to build a team that truly supports their vision.

✨ Takeaways

• The right people fuel your vision.
• Recognizing overwhelm is a signal, not a failure.
• You may never feel 100% ready to hire, and that’s normal.
• Creating capacity before burnout supports sustainable growth.
• Hiring can bring freedom and relief from day-to-day overload.
• Your first hire should focus on filling workload gaps.
• Avoid searching for a “unicorn” who can do everything.
• Hiring doesn’t require a full-time employee; contractors and fractional support count.
• Mindset shifts are essential to hiring well.
• You don’t need perfection to make your first hire.

🧰 The People Puzzle Workbook

Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series2

This episode kicks off The People Puzzle series; your roadmap to hiring with clarity, confidence, and intention.

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download, available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this reflective episode of The Delegation Download, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes look back on the lessons learned throughout Series 1 and unpack what delegation has taught them in real time.

They discuss the mindset shifts required to delegate effectively, the early signs of overwhelm and burnout that many business owners ignore, and how a lack of organization can make delegation feel harder than it needs to be. Ashley and Nichole also break down why clarity and structure must come before support, and how strong communication prevents micromanagement and frustration.

Listeners will walk away with reassurance that delegation is a learning process — not a one-time decision and with practical insight into when to seek support, how to reflect on what worked (and what didn’t), and why progress matters far more than perfection.

✨ Takeaways

• Delegation requires trust and a mindset shift.
• Recognizing overwhelm is a signal to delegate.
• Categorizing tasks helps identify what to delegate.
• Structure and clarity should come before support.
• Lack of clear goals is a red flag for delegation breakdown.
• Burnout impacts both personal and professional life.
• Clear communication prevents micromanagement.
• Feedback loops strengthen future delegation.
• Delegation is about progress, not perfection.
• Empowering your team builds confidence and ownership.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on Delegation and Lessons Learned

02:53 The Mindset Shift in Delegation

05:47 Recognizing When to Delegate

08:46 Organizing Tasks for Effective Delegation

11:23 Understanding Structure Before Support

14:33 Identifying Red Flags for Support Needs

17:08 Navigating Burnout and Overwhelm

20:08 The Importance of Communication in Delegation

22:51 Lessons Learned from Delegated Tasks

🧰 The Delegation Workbook

Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this episode of The Delegation Shift, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes dive into what really causes delegation to break down — and why it’s rarely about the task itself. They explore how lack of clarity, trust gaps, and common leadership mindset traps often lead to micromanagement, frustration, and stalled growth.

Ashley and Nichole unpack why effective delegation requires a mindset shift from control to empowerment, and how leaders can move from managing every detail to focusing on outcomes. They discuss practical delegation strategies, the importance of regular check-ins, and how intentional reflection helps leaders continuously improve their delegation practices.

Listeners will walk away with actionable reframes to overcome delegation resistance, tools to build trust within their teams, and clarity on why setting aside dedicated CEO time is essential for sustainable leadership and long-term business growth.

✨ Takeaways

• Delegation is a mindset shift, not just a task.
• Clear communication sets the foundation for successful delegation.
• Trusting your team empowers ownership and accountability.
• Delegating outcomes, not methods, drives better results.
• Regular check-ins reduce the need to micromanage.
• Understanding team strengths improves delegation success.
• Lessons-learned conversations strengthen future delegation.
• Mindset traps can quietly sabotage leadership effectiveness.
• Dedicated CEO time supports reflection and strategy.
• Delegation is a skill that improves with intentional practice.

🕒 Chapters

• 00:00 The Delegation Shift: An Introduction
• 10:19 Strategies for Successful Delegation
• 18:11 Building a Culture of Feedback and Accountability
• 23:23 Overcoming Mindset Traps in Delegation

🧰 The Delegation Workbook

👉 Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this episode of The Delegation Shift, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes sit down with Correy O’Neal for an honest conversation about burnout, balance, and redefining what success really means. Correy opens up about her personal experience with burnout; how it showed up in her life, the patterns that led to overwhelm, and the pivotal realization that something had to change.

Ashley, Nichole, and Correy explore why burnout often begins with relational disconnects, how recognizing the early signs can support recovery, and why flexibility and well-being now define Correy’s version of success. They also dive into the role delegation plays in preventing burnout, the fear many leaders face when asking for help, and how building trust is essential for letting go.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to create a mental health toolkit, why support systems matter, and how proactive self-care and strategic delegation can transform both personal growth and professional sustainability.

📲 Connect with Correy O’Neal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/correyoneal/

https://www.instagram.com/correyoneal

https://www.movementgenius.com/

https://www.instagram.com/movementgenius/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/movement-genius/

https://www.instagram.com/mindmodeai/

✨ Takeaways

• Burnout often manifests in relational disconnects.
• Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for recovery.
• Success is now defined by flexibility and personal well-being.
• Delegation is a superpower that can alleviate burnout.
• It's important to release control and trust others with tasks.
• Building a support system is essential for entrepreneurs.
• Quality relationships are more valuable than social media metrics.
• Creating a personal toolkit for mental health is vital.
• Proactive self-care can prevent burnout crises.
• Understanding your own needs is key to personal growth.

🧰 The Delegation Workbook

👉 Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: www.elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Virtual Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this episode of The Delegation Shift, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes from Elevate Virtual Business Solutions break down one of the most essential truths in business operations: if it’s not systemized, it’s not delegatable.

Ashley and Nichole explore how systems serve as the backbone of effective delegation, preventing confusion, rework, and bottlenecks. They discuss the importance of documenting processes, breaking down multi-step tasks, and using tools like screen recordings to create clear, teachable workflows.

The conversation highlights what leaders should systematize first, how team members can help refine processes, and why “done is better than perfect” when building the foundation of your operations.

Listeners will walk away with practical steps for creating scalable systems and with the mindset shift needed to recognize systemization as a true leadership skill.

✨ Takeaways

• If it’s not systemized, it’s not delegatable.
• Delegation without systems leads to chaos.
• Processes must be clear, teachable, and accessible.
• Systems create consistency across your business.
• Start with tasks you repeat weekly or daily.
• Use technology such as screen recordings to streamline documentation.
• Empower your team to refine and improve systems.
• Done > perfect when creating SOPs and workflows.
• Systemizing is a core leadership skill.
• Train once, scale forever. Long-term payoff beats short-term effort.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Systematization in Delegation
05:47 Identifying Tasks for Delegation
11:45 Common Areas for Systematization
17:43 Utilizing Technology for Efficient Delegation
23:38 The Leadership Role in Systematization

🧰 The Delegation Workbook

👉 Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Virtual Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this episode of The Delegation Shift, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes from Elevate Virtual Business Solutions tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in business leadership — that delegation means handing off everything. They break down how effective delegation is actually strategic, intentional, and rooted in understanding both your strengths and your team’s.

Ashley and Nichole explore how leaders can protect their brand voice, maintain ownership of high-impact decisions, and identify which tasks should remain on their plate. They also dive into frameworks like the 4Ds of task management and discuss how energy management and collaboration can strengthen overall productivity and business growth.

Listeners will walk away with clarity on how to delegate with confidence — focusing on the work that truly drives success while empowering their team to thrive in their own zones of genius.

✨ Takeaways

• Delegation is power, but it’s not just dumping everything.
• You need to delegate the right tasks to the right person.
• Overdelegating can pull you away from your team.
• Your voice needs to be part of your brand and client communication.
• Effective delegation is strategic, not all-or-nothing.
• Some responsibilities must stay on your plate as a leader.
• Identify your zone of genius and stay focused on it.
• The 4Ds of task management help you prioritize efficiently.
• Collaboration can spark creativity and better outcomes.
• Energy management is crucial for sustainable leadership.

🧰 The Delegation Workbook

👉 Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Virtual Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this episode of The Delegation Shift, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes dive into one of the biggest transitions for any growing business owner — hiring your first employee.

They unpack the signs that it’s time to hire, common mistakes to avoid, and the importance of having clarity around job descriptions and expectations. The conversation also explores how onboarding sets the tone for long-term success and how effective delegation plays a key role in developing trust and team alignment.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for identifying which tasks to delegate first, how to communicate expectations clearly, and how to provide constructive feedback that empowers new hires to thrive.

🧭 Takeaways

• Hiring your first employee can be daunting, but it is necessary for growth.
• Recognizing signs of burnout is crucial for knowing when to hire.
• Creating a “stop list” helps identify what to delegate first.
• Hiring in panic mode often leads to poor decisions.
• Clear job descriptions should outline expectations and success metrics.
• Onboarding is essential for setting new hires up for success.
• Start by delegating low-risk tasks to build trust and confidence.
• Clarity in communication reduces confusion and assumptions.
• Feedback should be specific and constructive to foster improvement.
• Hire for capability and alignment, not just personality.

🧰 The Delegation Workbook
👉 Download here: https://elevatevbs.myflodesk.com/the-delegation-download-podcast-series1

📲 Connect with Elevate Virtual Business Solutions

Website: elevatevbsolutions.com
Instagram: @elevatevbsolutions
LinkedIn: Elevate Virtual Business Solutions
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.

In this debut episode of The Delegation Download Podcast, hosts Ashley Carlson and Nichole Hughes dive into the crucial mindset shifts leaders must make to move from control freak to confident CEO.

They unpack the real challenges behind letting go of perfectionism and fear to trust and communication, and share how mastering delegation isn’t just about saving time, but about unlocking leadership potential and fueling business growth.

Ashley and Nichole also highlight client success stories that show just how transformative delegation can be when done right. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode will help you reframe delegation as a superpower that empowers your team and elevates your leadership.

💡 Key Takeaways

✅ Delegation is a learned skill that requires ongoing practice.
✅ Many leaders struggle with perfectionism and trust when delegating.
✅ Identifying what to delegate is crucial for effective time management.
✅ Burnout often stems from trying to do everything yourself.
✅ Delegation creates space for personal and professional growth.
✅ Effective delegation allows leaders to focus on high-value tasks.
✅ Mindset shifts help leaders see delegation as a strength, not a weakness.
✅ Communication and feedback are essential to successful delegation.
✅ Maintaining visibility builds trust and confidence during delegation.
✅ You’re not alone in the struggle to delegate effectively.

🧰 The Delegation Workbook: Coming Soon

📲 Connect with Elevate Business Solutions

Website: https://elevatevbsolutions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatevbsolutions/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevatevbs
Podcast: The Delegation Download — available wherever you stream podcasts.