I started my radio show Up in Your Business to pay forward my earned business knowledge. Business principles are the same, no matter the business size; watch your COG’s, treat your employees fair, hire smart, have clear processes in place, and pay your taxes.
In the beginning, this show premise worked well. But, after about a year, my UIYB interviews seemed redundant. I began to feel like Suze Orman (the TV investment advisor), who says the same money management principles over and over; high risk, high return, low risk, low return, save now for retirement and pay off your credit cards.
Bored with the same schtick, UIYB began to grow organically and change, shifting from not just business advice but to life advice too. Some interesting things became apparent; most of my successful guests believe in a higher power, have the heart of a teacher, and they all work hard.
The Heart of a Teacher
Of the above company principles, monitoring your COG’s and paying your taxes are easy because they are numbers; straightforward facts. But, when it comes to working with employees, the lines begin to gray. Emotions, egos, and personalities come into play.
In the early days of managing people, I was led to believe you should rule with an iron fist. This is not my personality type and, even worse, I was probably the opposite of that. Even though we all know wisdom is not transferable, I still think sharing what I have come to understand about empowering employees has value.
Everyone, even the laziest employee, wants to do well at work. Doing well instills pride and self-worth. No longer do I try to force a round peg (my employee) into a square hole (the task at hand). Instead, I watch the new employee, with the heart of a teacher. What are they good at? What part of the job do they spend most of their time on, because this is usually what they like. And if you like something, that means you are probably good at it. Tada!
It is that simple. Managing means watching and listening to people’s strengths and building on them.
Don’t Take it Personally
Employees become your work family and, like family, they can break your heart. Owners take a risk every time they hire someone. Not only do they open their heart, but they give their time, money, and trade secrets to another. Our goal is to make you better and in turn you make the company better. But it doesn’t always work out. And this brings me to a new business principle; you just can’t take it personally.
Don’t give up on humanity. We need each other.
