Can you believe this marks my 21st year of blogging? Some of my readers aren’t even that old!
Lately, it seems like every conversation I have ends with, “Can you believe that was 20 years ago?” I guess I’m showing my age—though I have to say, I love getting older. Gone are the insecurities of youth, the uncertainty of love, career, and home. If it weren’t for a few aches and pains, I’d have nothing to complain about at all.
But back to my blog. Since launching Bannerisms in 2004, both it and I have evolved. Over the years, I’ve written about business, nepotism, personal growth, loss, health, and more.
Today, I want to return to my original intent: helping young entrepreneurs grow in their business acumen. And what better place to start than with an important, complex, and crucial topic: human resources, aka employees.
The Problem with “Too Nice” Bosses
Having once been an employee, I remember the well-intended but misguided mistakes of some of my nicest bosses. They were so kind that, rather than giving me direct feedback, they tiptoed around issues with my work. They hinted at what they wanted instead of telling me outright. More often than not, I ended up getting fired.
Ironically, I was hired for every job I ever applied for. I guess because I interviewed well. But I couldn’t keep a job. That, I later realized, was an early sign of a budding entrepreneur and one of the reasons I started Arkansas Flag & Banner, Inc. in 1975.
If you think about it, it’s unfair to everyone working in the company for an employer to lack the courage to clearly communicate expectations. Yes, these conversations can be uncomfortable, and yes, they may be hard for the employee to hear. But it gets easier with practice. I’ve had to tell employees to wear deodorant, stop wearing strong cologne, or improve their work habits. Difficult? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.
It goes both ways
If a boss or even the employee avoids tough conversations, resentment will build on both sides and everyone loses: the employees, employer, and customers. For more information about managing employees check out an earlier blog.
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