How Outsourcing HR Helped Me Lead with More Clarity and Confidence

By Shannon Welch - Founder & Director, Property Assist

Recently, someone asked me how I manage contracts and pay structures for my team. It was a genuine question, but it struck a chord. Because the truth is, I’ve spent years making sure we do things right, and that didn’t happen by accident.

Early in my business journey, I made a decision that shaped everything else: I outsourced HR.

I’d worked under leaders who didn’t get those things right, who left staff in the dark or blurred the lines around expectations.

When I started building my own team, I knew I didn’t want to repeat those patterns. But I also knew I wasn’t an HR expert.

I couldn’t afford an internal hire at the time, but I found someone who could set us up properly. Contracts, wages, position expectations—suddenly it was all clear.

No more guesswork. No more grey areas. That clarity didn’t just protect the business, it gave me the confidence to lead well from the very beginning.

Since then, outsourcing has become one of the most powerful tools in how I operate and grow. Not just as a business owner, but as a leader.

I’ve brought in experts for bookkeeping, marketing, and admin support. Each time I’ve handed something over, I’ve created space to lead more effectively, support my team more intentionally, and serve our clients with greater consistency.

It’s also made a difference at home. My housekeeper has been with us for seven years.

Every Thursday, she folds our washing, makes the beds, and brings a sense of calm and care to our home that genuinely lifts the whole week. We say it often—she’s part of the reason our family life runs as smoothly as it does.

There’s sometimes a hesitation around outsourcing, especially in real estate where the pace is fast and we often feel we have to do it all ourselves.

But what I’ve learned is that sustainable leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, people who are more skilled, more experienced, or simply more confident in the areas where you’re not.

That trust has helped me create a stronger business, a better culture, and a team that feels supported. It’s allowed me to pick up my kids from school instead of always relying on aftercare.

Sure, there are nights I work once they’re in bed, but that flexibility is something I deeply value.

So if you’re a business owner wondering if it’s time to let something go, here’s my suggestion.

Look at the areas where you feel stretched or unsure. Is there someone who could take that off your plate and do it really well? If so, trust them.

It’s not about doing less. It’s about doing what matters most, and doing it better.