A previous client called the other day to ask for some help on a pretty common dilemma that challenges new and successful business owners. You see, her dream of owning a profitable business had come true. Her hard work and dedication had finally paid off. Now, since she is no longer a soloprenuer, she is struggling with some of the “management” aspects of growing a successful small business. Not only does she have to manage herself, but she is responsible to manage others. She was looking for help on how to deal with some of the management aspects of running her business. She is technically proficient and wonderful at her trade but managing others, well, that is a different story.
Perhaps the following will help:
- Be very selective in hiring. If your gut, heart or head tells you run, then run. Don’t look back. No regrets. The greatest resume in the world will not make up for what down the road will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you have any concerns at all, they are likely to come to fruition.
- Don’t hire clones. You won’t grow if you do. Hire someone who will challenge you and help you and your business to grow.
- Do not expect anyone to work as hard, fast, smart or diligently as you. The likelihood of that happening is pretty slim. Based on my non-scientific studies you can expect your team members to work about 75 – 80% as hard as you do if you have made good hiring choices. If you have done a magnificent job in hiring then you will find the rare gem that will work side by side with and for you and become a great asset to your business.
- Allow your team members to make mistakes. They won’t learn and you won’t grow if they don’t. You never know when they will come up with the next best thing to catapult your business to the greater levels of success.
- Don’t micromanage. You made good hiring choices, trained them, gave them the authority and responsibility to do their jobs. Now establish the ground rules and let them deliver.
- Be flexible. Give your team the latitude to live their lives and be your business partner. They will deliver far more for you if you allow them to take care of themselves and their families as well.
- Role model the behaviors you expect of your team members. Your team will do as you do. Act as you expect them to act and behave as you expect them to behave.
As always, thank you for reading.
Julie
