Comment by darylteo
2 years ago
I am dealing with similar. I can provide solutions 10x faster than anyone. Everyone looks up to me, and are dependent on me for solutions to everything.
However it is clear that noone is improving and that the process IS me.
What I've been trying to do is make sure that my scope and role is fully clarified, and any "extra" activity that I perform is documented and flagged. Anything that becomes a "common" activity implies a missing part of the process - be it a role that is missing, or a skillset that is lacking.
Before you start thinking that it is pretentious or self serving, it's perhaps the opposite - you owe it to the process and the team/business/organisation to make them see what you're putting in, else they fail to find the gap.
It's not paid off yet, but hopefully it will yield results within the next 6 months.
I do hope you’re recognized.
One piece of advice, I found myself this person once - it’s the road to burn out city to be the critical path answer to everyone on the team’s challenges. You sound like someone who is very generous with your time and support. In my experience once people have found a critical path there is no point at which they “stop.” This isn’t because they’re trying to hurt you, they’ve just found the answer so to them it doesn’t seem wrong.
It will take even more of your time, but you ought to consider practicing giving less answers and asking more questions of those who seek your help to try to help them unpack the issues themselves. It will feel more tiring at first, but you’ll gradually help the others learn and also create a small bit of friction that will encourage them to try their own solution or two before seeking you.
Management asks are separate/ they can actually reward you with compensation and promotions for this extra work. But the team asking for help won’t stop when you get more comp unless you start teaching that you’re not the answer.
Really does help to hear this, thank you.