Are you a business leader feeling more overwhelmed now than ever—even after hiring a team? Do you find yourself becoming the bottleneck in your own business operations? If so, you’re not alone. Many fast-growing business leaders fall into this trap. But the good news is there’s a simple and effective model to help you escape it.
In this post, I want to introduce you to a game-changing productivity tool: the TOADD Model—an acronym for Train, Outsource, Automate, Delegate, and Discipline. This model will help you step out of the daily weeds of your business and lead more strategically. It’s time to unshackle yourself from the busy trap and unlock your team’s true potential.
Why Models Matter for Leaders
Before we dive into TOADD, let’s talk about the power of models. Models allow us to codify our genius—our intellectual property—in ways that are clear, repeatable, and easy for others to understand. That’s why I use models like the Unbridled Teamship Roadmap and my IMPACTFUL Leadership Traits framework. When you frame your leadership strategy using memorable acronyms or visual diagrams, your team is more likely to remember and apply what you teach them.
Now, let’s unpack the TOADD model and see how it can revolutionise your productivity.
T – Train: Short-Term Effort for Long-Term Freedom
Training team members may seem like a time drain, but it’s actually a smart long-term investment. One of the most common objections I hear is, “I don’t have time to train anyone.” But here’s the truth: every hour you invest in training could save you dozens of hours down the road.
💡 Action Step:
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Choose one repetitive task you do weekly (e.g., social media posting, inbox management).
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Use a screen recording tool like Loom or Zoom to document how you do it.
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Share this with a team member and give them a chance to take it on.
If that task takes you an hour a week, you’re freeing up 52 hours a year just by training someone else to handle it.
O – Outsource: Tap into the Global Talent Pool
If you don’t have a team yet—or you need specialized support—consider outsourcing. The modern gig economy makes it easier than ever to find high-quality freelancers who can tackle just about any task.
From virtual assistants to graphic designers to funnel builders, the world is your oyster. You can even find affordable, highly skilled talent from countries like the Philippines, South Africa, and Nigeria.
💡 Action Step:
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Write down 3 tasks you don’t enjoy or aren’t great at.
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Browse platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or PeoplePerHour to find help.
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Test one freelancer with a small project and assess the results.
Outsourcing doesn’t have to be permanent—you can start small and scale as your needs grow.
A – Automate: Let Tech Do the Heavy Lifting
Technology is your silent teammate. You can now automate everything from lead generation to email marketing to appointment reminders. The time you save can be reinvested into high-impact strategy and innovation.
In my business, for example, I’ve automated my quiz funnel using tools like SCORE App, Zapier, and my CRM. Once someone completes the quiz, they automatically receive follow-up emails and resources—without me lifting a finger.
💡 Action Step:
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Identify one manual task you repeat often (e.g., sending meeting reminders, client onboarding).
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Explore automation tools like Zapier, Make.com (formerly Integromat), or CRMs with built-in workflows.
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Set up a simple automation and monitor the impact.
Small automations can have massive ripple effects in freeing up your schedule.
D – Delegate: Empower Your Team to Lead
Delegation isn’t just a leadership skill—it’s a mindset shift. Many leaders hesitate to delegate because they believe “no one can do it like me.” But this mindset keeps you stuck and slows down your team.
Worse, you may be holding on to tasks you hate, mistakenly thinking no one else wants them either. In reality, those same tasks may be someone else’s zone of genius.
💡 Action Step:
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Audit your daily tasks for a week in 15-minute increments.
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Highlight tasks that could be handed off to someone else.
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Ask your team members what they love doing—you might be surprised!
Then delegate accordingly and be available to coach and support them through the learning curve.
D – Discipline: The Glue That Holds It All Together
The final D stands for Discipline—both personal and team-wide. Discipline means following through on commitments, setting boundaries around your time, and holding team members accountable. Without discipline, all the training, outsourcing, automation, and delegation in the world won’t stick.
It also means staying consistent with feedback loops. When something doesn’t go as planned, don’t take the task back—coach your team through it.
💡 Action Step:
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Review weekly: Are your systems and team operating as expected?
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Reflect: Are you following through on your own priorities?
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Reinforce: Are you holding space for feedback and continuous improvement?
Great businesses are built on consistent behaviours, not random bursts of energy.
Bonus Tip: Start by Tracking Your Time
If you’re not sure where to start, begin by tracking how you spend your time each day. Use a time tracker or simply jot down your tasks in 15-minute chunks. You’ll quickly see where your time is leaking—and where TOADD can help.
Final Thoughts: Productivity Is a Team Sport
The TOADD model isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about leading smarter. It’s about reclaiming your role as a visionary and empowering your team to step into theirs.
Here’s your TOADD recap:
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T – Train others to take on repeatable tasks.
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O – Outsource work you don’t need to do yourself.
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A – Automate processes to save time and energy.
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D – Delegate to unlock your team’s superpowers.
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D – Discipline yourself and your team to follow through.
When you implement TOADD, you stop being the bottleneck and start becoming the catalyst for exponential growth. So, which letter are you going to start with this week?
Let’s Talk:
I’d love to hear from you—what’s one thing you’re going to Train, Outsource, Automate, Delegate, or Discipline this week? Drop me a message or tag me on LinkedIn!
Show Notes:
Here are the highlights from this episode:
