Let Your Employees Solve Your Issues.

Far too many small business owners believe that they must single-handedly solve every issue that pops up. They think they should cure every problem, every bottleneck, every concern and make every decision by themselves as they believe it’s their territory, their responsibility, their job.

Get over it, no one is that good. In fact, even if one was good enough to handle it all, it is hardly the preferred or most efficient or most likely method to yield the best answers, so why continue with such an ego-oriented, father-knows-best attitude and practice?

Frankly, your employees are probably closer to most of the issues, have more of a hands-on relationship with the specific problems and are probably best suited to solve any operational, or sales and marketing issues you may be confronting. Granted, they may not have all the best ideas, but enlisting your employees in discussing both problems and solutions will enhance the results, add imagination and creativity to the discussion and will yield a better result than if “Father” does it all alone and hands down the edict. This approach creates a better team concept, working together to succeed. It empowers the employees to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem, and it demonstrates respect to them as their ideas are considered important enough to consider and valuable enough to implement.

I have actually created an Executive Committee, including all four of my managers. Any significant matter I may be considering is presented to my this committee for input, adjustment, consideration, improvement, etc. and frequently they may even go thumbs down on an idea. I listen to them because I believe that this is the way to prevent costly mistakes and misjudgments.

It works—I get terrific feedback, wonderful insight, deep criticism, and effective valuable advice. Not only does it cost me nothing, but my employees are so excited about being included and so pleased with having a meaningful voice in directing the evolution of this company that they take ownership of their jobs and their relationship to the company’s success, acting almost as if they are the CEO. Together, we figure out what’s best, what works and what does not work. It is empowering. Morale is boosted and the business culture advanced, deepened, and made richer. It’s a better experience for all and the business benefits greatly.

Additionally, it makes the heavy lifting, the important decisions and the difficult considerations a whole lot easier as now I have help—quality help—to think things through and see the good and the bad. It helps me reflect and conclude; it makes my job easier and my decisions a lot better.

Trust your employees, ask them for input, form support committees. It works.