Who Works for Who?

You know there is a big difference between, “I need more people because my business is growing” and “I need people because I can’t keep the ones I have.” I was speaking with someone recently who said, “Yes I have the marketing and the phone rings constantly with new business, but I can’t find enough people.” My response was, “Great! You must be doing well and making a good profit.” His response was “Not really. I can’t seem to keep technicians. They don’t cooperate very well. It’s this new generation.”

The millennials are a different breed, but people are people. How you treat them means a lot. I can almost tell what type of owner or manager you are by just having a conversation with you. When I hear people say “He worked for me” it tells me a great deal about their ego and management style. Even when I had over 50 people in my employ, I can honestly say “I worked with over 50 people.” No one worked for me, they worked with me. That is how we were able to accomplish so much. It was a team effort.

Another point is never ask someone to do something you would not do yourself. Get from behind the desk, out of your comfort zone, and go work alongside some of your team. They are amazing people and are the face of your company. If you don’t go with them occasionally, how do you know what the public is seeing? And, when you get to know them better, you will better know what motivates them to do a better job! I find that most owners and managers just want results without investing anything in their employees. “I spent all that money in training, and they left.” Well, what would have happened if you didn’t train them and they stayed?

Who works for who in your organization? If you are the owner or manager and don’t have a servant’s mentality when it comes to the people in your employ, I question whether your company will ever have sustained success. That is why building your business has been so remarkably hard. First learn how to treat people. Then educate them. Explain the rules and let them do their job without repercussions. Let them take responsibility for themselves. You will be amazed at what they will accomplish. It makes building a sustainable business much more fun and more profitable if you work with your people. Now look in the mirror. Who is working for who?

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