Meeting Topic
Do You Feel Like You’re Collecting Everyone Else’s “Monkeys”? – Glenda Lewis
The Leadership Academy – November 2025
The title might sound playful, but “Monkey Management” is a genuine and very common leadership challenge. The concept dates back to the 1970s, yet it remains just as relevant today.
So, what exactly is Monkey Management?
A “monkey” is any task, problem, or responsibility that suddenly becomes yours — even though it didn’t start out that way. Leaders accumulate these monkeys more often than they realise, and before long, they’re carrying a whole troop on their back, draining time, focus, and energy.
How Monkeys Jump onto Your Back
When coaching leaders, one theme I hear often is the feeling of being overwhelmed. Once we unpack a typical week, we find they’ve unintentionally taken on work that belongs to others.
Monkeys usually arrive in moments where we think we’re being supportive or efficient. Common examples include:
- “I’ll sort this out for you…”
- “Leave it with me – I’ll think about it…”
- “It’ll be quicker if I do it…”
These comments seem harmless but are the exact moments when monkeys leap from someone else’s shoulders onto yours.
Keeping Monkeys with Their Rightful Owners
The first step is becoming aware of how these moments happen. Once you see them coming, you can redirect the monkey – without being dismissive or unhelpful – and strengthen capability in the process.
Here are some more constructive responses:
Instead of: “Leave it with me.”
Try: “Let me show you how I would approach this, and then you can bring me the final version.”
Instead of: “I’ll think about it and get back to you.”
Try asking:
- “What option do you think will work best?”
- “What outcome are you aiming for?”
- “Considering our quality expectations, what’s your next step?”
Instead of: “I’ll do this — it’ll be quicker.”
Try: “Take the time to work through this properly. I’d like you to learn the process so you can handle it confidently next time.”
These responses might feel a little awkward at first, but they quickly become second nature – and your workload will noticeably lighten.
Three Top Tier Monkey-Management Tips
- Delegation means the monkey stays with the other person.
Good delegation doesn’t involve taking tasks back. Support the person, yes — but keep ownership where it belongs. - Prepare your responses.
Having a few set phrases ready helps you avoid slipping back into “I’ll just do it.” - Define roles clearly.
Clear expectations and boundaries dramatically reduce the number of stray monkeys that end up on your back.
Building “Monkey Management” into your leadership style will reduce overwhelm, strengthen your team, and stop you from feeling like you’re putting on a zookeeper uniform every morning.
Next Meeting Topic
Strong Systems, Strong Business: Why Your Foundations Matter – by Emma Ranson
Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, and admin usually ends up at the bottom of the list. Yet solid foundations make everything else easier. When your systems are organised and your processes clear, your business runs with less stress and far more flow. It’s the difference between reacting to each day and confidently steering it.
- Systems That Keep You on Track
When your business has structure, things simply work better. You know what needs doing, when it needs doing, and where everything lives.
Examples of strong systems include:
- A clear folder structure for files and client work
- Task management tools like Asana, ClickUp, or Trello
- Shared calendars for meetings and deadlines
- Checklists for recurring admin or onboarding tasks
Good systems save time, reduce overwhelm, and make it easier to prioritise what matters most. They also create consistency in how you work, which builds trust with clients and your team. The smoother the backend runs, the more space you have for strategy and growth.
- The Power of an SOP
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) might not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most valuable tools a business can have. It’s a single document that outlines how things are done, complete with links to folders, templates, and instructions.
It removes guesswork, speeds up onboarding, and keeps everyone accountable. When you step away for a day or a week, your business can still run smoothly. It’s your business’s how-to guide and one of the simplest ways to create consistency.
- Automations That Work Behind the Scenes
Automation handles the repetitive work, so you don’t have to. Start small but start somewhere:
- Email templates for quick, consistent replies
- Inbox filters to sort messages automatically
- Scheduled newsletters or social posts
- Auto-reminders for renewals or client check-ins
These small changes save time and free your energy for creative or client-focused work. Over time, automation builds rhythm and reliability into your week without constant effort.
- Delegation and Support
Even with the best systems, no one can do it all. Delegation turns a busy operator into a sustainable business owner. It’s about recognising where your time has the most impact and letting others handle what they do best.
That might mean outsourcing bookkeeping, inbox management, or scheduling. It’s not giving work away, it’s protecting your energy and creating balance. Outsourcing also means tasks are handled faster and with less effort than doing them yourself, allowing your business to keep moving even when life demands your attention elsewhere. Letting go can feel uncomfortable, but it opens space to think, plan, and enjoy the parts of business that inspired you in the first place.
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Emma Ranson is the founder of Aurora Virtual Assistance, a New Zealand–based agency that helps women health professionals and business owners simplify their admin, streamline their systems, and regain valuable time for what matters most.
www.aurorava.co.nz
