The Details Are Not Small: Why Overlooked Tasks Can Lead to Big Consequences
And how having the right administrative support protects more than just your calendar.
There’s a massive evergreen tree that towers beside our home—technically on our neighbor’s property, but its heavy branches hang well over our roof. After several rough winters and a few too many roof repairs, it was clear: we needed to do some maintenance before another branch came crashing down.
While I was visiting my sister in Seattle, my partner offered to handle it. I trusted it would go smoothly.
But a few days into my trip, I got a call. The tree service he hired—based on a quick referral—was not qualified for the job. Their machinery damaged our neighbor’s yard, created deep sinkholes, and caused distress to her chickens. The tree's appearance was altered in a way she didn’t expect or approve. A simple act of maintenance spiraled into a complicated and expensive mess—over $6,000 in repairs, remediation, and relationship repair.
The project wasn’t just mishandled. It lacked care. It skipped past the details that make all the difference.
And it reminded me of something I see far too often in projects and businesses: the belief that tending to the small stuff is optional.
It's Not Just About the Tree
This story isn't really about landscaping. It’s about what happens when values-driven leaders try to carry everything—vision, strategy, relationships, and operations—without the right kind of support.
When you’re holding so much, it’s easy to rush. Easy to overlook. Easy to skip the research. Easy to move forward on word-of-mouth without vetting, to sign the contract without reading the fine print, to delay sending that important email, to assume someone else will follow up.
But what’s often labeled as “small stuff” is actually protective infrastructure. It’s what keeps the foundation of your work intact. When it's neglected, the consequences are rarely small.
And when your work is rooted in justice and equity, those consequences don’t just impact you. They ripple out to your collaborators, your community, and your cause.
The Small Things Are Sacred
At Galvan Consulting, we approach administrative support as a form of care work.
We know that people doing anti-oppression work carry a particular kind of emotional and energetic load. You’re often under-resourced, constantly adapting, and trying to lead from your values in systems that weren’t built for us.
That’s why the details matter. Not because they’re flashy or high-stakes on the surface—but because they protect your peace, your relationships, and your long-term sustainability.
From managing inboxes with clarity and consistency, to catching what’s stuck in drafts, to making sure your systems actually support your workflow—we tend to the back end so you can stay rooted in your front-facing mission.
Because when the details are held with intention, they create space for you to move from reactive to proactive. From overwhelmed to organized. From constant catching-up to grounded forward momentum.
It’s Not Just About Saving Time—It’s About Honoring Your Work
We’re not here to hustle through your task list. We’re here to help you protect the vision you’re carrying.
The core goal of Galvan Consulting is to provide administrative support that allows values-driven leaders to focus on their transformative work without the burden of operational overwhelm. We do this by centering care, justice, and efficiency—because we believe your leadership shouldn’t come at the cost of your well-being.
We understand that in this economy, you may be questioning whether you can afford a virtual assistant. But if you’ve ever found yourself untangling a mess caused by a missed detail, you already know: you can’t afford not to.
If the small stuff is starting to feel heavy—or you’re worried about what might fall through the cracks—reach out.
Let’s build a system of care around your work, so nothing gets lost in the rush.