---
title: "Zones of work"
description: "The Hendricks zones, used to decide what to do yourself and what to hand off."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/zones-of-work/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Zones of work

> The Hendricks zones, used to decide what to do yourself and what to hand off.

Emma Grede's framework, from Start With Yourself, pp. 49 to 237.

Framework 8 of 14 from [Start With Yourself](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/index.md) by Emma Grede. Category: Leadership.

## The steps

1. **Zone of Genius.** What comes most naturally and what you may take for granted; focus here.
2. **Zone of Excellence.** What you are good at but is not the best use of your gifts; resist the siren song.
3. **Zone of Competence.** What you can do but should often outsource, such as daily decisions.
4. **Zone of Incompetence.** What you are useless at, such as financial models; let others take it and do not try to develop it.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Part Three: Old Thoughts, pp. 49–237

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/zones-of-work.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/zones-of-work-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/zones-of-work.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/start-with-yourself/zones-of-work-dark.png