The Adventures of Lee The SME Owner - 28.

Chapter 28 - The Transition Begins

With Sam now in place as the new General Manager, Lee found himself in a position he hadn’t experienced in decades—learning to let go. It wasn’t an easy shift for him. He had spent years building the business from the ground up, making every major decision, and being the face of the company. Now, even with the confidence that Sam was the right person for the role, the emotional weight of the transition was beginning to set in.

John had been a steady guide throughout the process, and as they sat down to discuss the next steps, his advice was clear: flexibility was key.

A Flexible Transition Plan

“You don’t need to make hard and fast plans about when you’re stepping back,” John said, leaning forward in his chair. “The transition is going to happen, but the pace should be determined by what works for everyone—Sam, you, the customers, the suppliers, and most importantly, the team. Forcing a rigid timeline could lead to unnecessary stress.”

Lee nodded. “So, we’ll keep the plan in mind but adapt as we go?”

“Exactly,” John replied. “The plan is there as a guide, but it doesn’t need to be followed to the letter. We’ll monitor Sam’s progress, see how he’s handling the responsibilities, and adjust as needed. If he’s ready to take on more, you can step back further. If he needs more time, you stay involved a little longer. The point is to be responsive to what’s happening, not locked into a timetable.”

This advice resonated with Lee. The thought of stepping away completely still made him anxious, but knowing he didn’t have to rush the process or stick to a strict timeline gave him some comfort.

The Emotional Aspect of Transition

John then addressed something more personal. “This transition isn’t just a business move, Lee. It’s going to be emotionally stressful for you. You’ve poured your heart into this company for decades. Don’t underestimate how hard it’s going to be to step back, even if you know it’s the right thing to do.”

Lee nodded, understanding what John was saying, but not fully sure how to handle it. “It’s strange, you know. I’ve been preparing for this for a while, but now that it’s happening, it feels... harder than I expected.”

“That’s normal,” John said. “What’s important is that you take care of yourself through this. Don’t just focus on the business side of things—think about your well-being. You’re not just losing control; you’re gaining time for other parts of your life. That’s a big shift.”

Mid-Week Adventures

John also had another suggestion that caught Lee off guard but made perfect sense.

“Have you and Julie started thinking about what you’re going to do with that extra time?” John asked.

Lee shrugged. “Not really. I figured I’d get to it when the time came.”

“Well, now’s the time,” John said with a smile. “Why don’t you and Julie plan some things to do together during the week? It doesn’t have to be anything major—maybe a lunch out, a day trip, or even just some time away from the office together. This will give you a chance to step out of work mode mid-week. It’ll also be good practice for spending more time together once you’re out of the business.”

Lee smiled, the idea finally sinking in. “You know, we’ve never really done that. It’s always been work during the week, and maybe some time together on weekends. But now... yeah, I think it’s a good idea.”

Taking the First Steps

Over the next few weeks, Lee began to follow John’s advice. He didn’t put pressure on himself to stick to a strict timeline. Instead, he focused on observing Sam’s progress. Sam was adjusting well, taking on more responsibilities and making confident decisions, but there were still moments when he leaned on Lee for guidance. Lee stayed involved where needed but allowed Sam the space to lead.

At the same time, Lee and Julie started planning their mid-week adventures. It was small at first—lunch in town on a Wednesday, a mid-week visit to a nearby vineyard, or a quiet morning walk. But these moments became something Lee looked forward to, a reminder that there was life outside of the office. Slowly, the idea of stepping back didn’t feel quite so intimidating.

As the weeks went on, Lee realized that the flexibility John had encouraged was exactly what he needed. The business was thriving, Sam was growing into his role, and Lee was finding new ways to enjoy his time. The transition wasn’t without its challenges, but by taking it one step at a time, Lee was discovering that there was more to life than running the business.

And that, in itself, was a welcome change.