A Leader Follows in Front
As a small business owner, chances are you play an enormous role in the management of your employees. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not taking this task seriously. Keeping this in mind, make an investment in your management skills. What techniques are you currently using? How has the response been? Has there been any response? If you feel as though you’re floundering, just remember the following: Get personal. Get involved. Get inspired.
A personal approach is extremely useful when it comes to improving company performance. Get to know your employees. Talk with them. Listen to them. Perhaps the single most important accomplishment you can achieve in this position is a sincere mutual respect between managers and managed. When they feel that above all else their employer has their best interest at heart; when they do not feel as though they are being looked at only as instruments engaged in the pursuit of someone else’s wealth; when they are reminded that they are appreciated and valued not only as employees but as people, they will feel both an obligation and a desire to give only their best at their jobs. It seems so simple, but it’s a highly overlooked tactic when it comes to modern day management.
It’s difficult for employees to work tirelessly in their cubicles all day while the big man has meetings with his interior decorator or plans his next vacation. How can a person who only spends about 10% of his workday on “work” expect his employees to devote 100% of their time to it? The whole “do as I say, not as I do” thing isn’t very popular with anyone. If you can’t get your toddler to buy into it, what makes you think it’s ok to operate that way in the business world? It’s not, plain and simple. So lead by example. The same hard work and efficiency that you demand of your employees, you should be displaying. The passion you hope for them to have toward the business, you should have yourself. Success is a team effort, and it’s a team that you need to be a functioning part of.
When things are going well, be cautious about how long you sit back and enjoy it. As unfortunate a truth as it is, our laziest times are those following our successes. Make a conscious effort to change this. Remember that triumphs are a result of hard work and perseverance, and instead of simply relishing in them, strive to continue the trend. Take the feeling of accomplishment you have and share it with your employees. Inspiration is contagious, and if you really feel that the sky is the limit, your employees will too. Not to mention, they’ll help you get there.
