Resources – Use What You Have Before You Ask for More

What Counts as a Resource?

When most people hear “resources,” they think: Budget. Headcount. Tech tools.

But I define Resources broadly:

- People

- Time

- Relationships

- Data

- Institutional knowledge

- Processes

- Mindshare

If you’re not getting results, look here first—before asking for more.

Why Leaders Default to “More”

It’s easier to ask for more than to optimize what’s already in place.

Optimization requires:

- Hard questions

- Honest audits

- Accountability

- Creativity with constraints

What Underutilization Looks Like

Red flags:

- Unnecessary meetings

- Unused tools

- High performers doing low-impact tasks

- Redundant processes

- Unused data

- Siloed efforts

These aren’t gaps. They’re leaks.

The Resource Maximization Audit

Run this audit to maximize your existing resources.

1. Inventory What You Have

List:

- People and skills

- Tools and platforms

- Data and content

- Relationships

- Workflows

Don’t list just titles or licenses—list capabilities.

2. Ask: What’s Underutilized?

For each resource:

- Are we using it fully?

- Can it be better applied?

- Who else could benefit?

Be honest and uncover duplication or waste.

3. Reallocate with Intention

Shift roles. Retool meetings. Automate tasks. Share systems. Repurpose assets.

Leadership means making the most of what you already have.

Story from the Field: The Unused CRM

Mid-size company. Sales were down. CEO wanted a new CRM.

Turns out:

- They had a great CRM

- No one used it properly

- Data was scattered

We retrained, reconnected systems, and aligned teams.

Six months later: +22% revenue. Same tool. Better leadership.

Your Challenge This Week: Resource Audit Lite

Pick a team or project and run a mini audit:

1. What’s underutilized?

2. Where are we duplicating?

3. What’s one move to increase value?

Then act. Don’t wait for perfection.

The Mindset Shift

Shift from:

“I need more” → to → “How do I better use what I already have?”

Anyone can spend money. Leaders multiply value.

The Other R’s Depend on This

Trying to hit Results without optimizing Resources? You’ll stall.

Ignoring the Reality of how you’re using resources? You’ll leak potential.

Show mastery before asking for more.

Final Word

You have more than you think.

Until you master what you’ve got—you’re not ready for more.

Leadership is about doing something extraordinary with what others see as ordinary.

That starts here—with Resourcefulness.