Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman at an event organised by a mutual friend. It was one of those moments that reminded me how networking opportunities can appear in the most unexpected places. During our chat, we touched on a topic that I am very familiar with: trust in business.
He asked me how I gain people’s trust and how I help them feel confident enough to hand over parts of their business to me. I immediately understood where he was coming from. As a business owner, it can feel daunting to outsource work, especially to someone you have never met in person, and even more so when they work remotely. There is always an element of risk.
But here is the thing: I completely understand it.
I Have Been on Both Sides
When I first started outsourcing parts of my own work, I felt exactly the same way. Handing over tasks, responsibilities, and crucial decisions to another person felt uncomfortable at first. It was not just about whether they were capable. It was about whether I could trust them.
After all, your business is not just a job. It is your livelihood, your reputation, and something you have poured countless hours into. Letting someone else step in and handle it can feel like handing over your heart and hoping it is not dropped.
With time, both in my career and personal life, I have learned to approach outsourcing differently.
My Background in Trust and Management
I have worked in management roles for most of my career. I was always responsible for overseeing other people’s work, making important decisions, and ensuring things were done to a high standard. On top of that, I help manage my husband’s business, which means overseeing staff, operations, and making key decisions daily.
So I know what it is like to hire people, to evaluate them, and to wonder: will this person really deliver? Can I count on them when it matters?
One thing I have always believed is that you can tell a lot about a person by how they interact with others. For example, I used to think of it like this: if you take someone out for lunch or coffee, watch how they treat the staff, how quickly they make decisions, how comfortable they are in that social environment. Those small things reveal character.
But when you are outsourcing, especially remotely, you do not have those chances. You do not get to observe someone in those casual, everyday interactions. That is what makes it feel risky.
The Shift in Perspective
Here is what I have learned though. When I bring an associate or virtual assistant on board, I am not hiring an employee to tick boxes. I am collaborating with a fellow business owner.
That distinction changes everything.
Virtual assistants are not just task-doers. We run our own businesses, we have our own clients, and we have already learned how to manage workloads, deadlines, and customer relationships. So when a business owner hires me, they are not hiring someone who needs to be micromanaged. They are hiring someone who understands the bigger picture and can think like a partner.
Micromanaging in this type of setup does not make sense, and honestly, it just slows things down. Trust and partnership work far better.
Of course, I like to stay in the loop. I always ask to be tagged in communication so I am aware of what is happening. That way, I can step in if needed and the business owner has peace of mind that I am aligned with what is going on.
Advice for Business Owners Struggling to Let Go
If you are a business owner and you feel hesitant about outsourcing, here is what I would say to you:
• Acknowledge the fear. It is normal to feel protective of your business. That shows how much you care.
• See your VA as a partner, not just a helper. Remember, they are running their own business too. They understand risk, responsibility, and client expectations.
• Start small. If you are nervous, begin with a few tasks. Build trust step by step until you are comfortable handing over more.
• Communicate clearly. The more transparent you are about expectations, the more smoothly things will run.
• Focus on outcomes, not micromanagement. Instead of worrying about how every single task gets done, look at the results.
Final Thoughts
Trust is the foundation of any strong working relationship, especially when outsourcing. As a virtual assistant, I know how hard it can be for business owners to take that leap. I also know that when you do, it can transform your business.
You are not just hiring someone to tick boxes. You are bringing on another business owner who understands responsibility, who has been in your shoes, and who can help you move forward with confidence.
So yes, there is always risk. But there is also huge opportunity. In my experience, that leap of trust almost always pays off.
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