In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the biggest transitions a business owner can face—handing over the reins to a General Manager.
Most business owners are already acting as the GM without even realising it. But if you want to scale, take a step back, or simply stop being the bottleneck in your business, at some point you’ll need to redefine your role.
Ben and David unpack what a true General Manager actually does (hint: it's not just being a glorified operations manager), the mindset shifts required to step away from the day-to-day, and why delegation is very different to abdication.
Whether you're already considering bringing someone in, or you're still clinging to your baby. This episode will help you prepare your business, your team, and yourself for the change.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
04:23 – What is a General Manager really, and do you already have one?
09:51 – You can’t just “hand it over”, you need to define the role first
12:45 – Generalist vs specialist: what to look for in your future GM
14:41 – Why most employees won’t think like an owner—and that’s okay
16:33 – How to structure your business so a GM can actually succeed
23:05 – Start with your structure, not the hire
27:24 – Is promoting from within the best move? Pros and cons
30:31 – Are you really ready to stop being the GM?

Key Takeaways:
Structure First, Hire Later: Don’t jump the gun. You need a clear business structure and defined roles before you bring in a GM.
Clarity is Everything: If you can’t explain what your GM should do on a Monday morning, you’re not ready to hire one.
Mind the Mindset Gap: Your GM won’t think like an owner and that’s okay. Focus on outcomes, not control.
Promote or Hire? It Depends: Promoting from within brings loyalty; hiring externally brings fresh eyes. Know what your business needs.
Make it a Strategic Role: The GM isn’t there to be the best worker, they’re there to manage people, assets, and growth.
Delegation ≠ Abdication: Give them the tools, the structure, and the trust to lead—don’t just toss them the keys and hope.
🚀 Ready to get serious about stepping out of the day-to-day? Download the free Role Clarity Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/clarity and start mapping out your path to a business that runs without you.
Tune in as Ben and David share practical insights and strategies drawn from years of real-world business coaching. Subscribe now to make sure you never miss an episode packed with value for your business journey.