In the mist of another hectic week, I found a little time to do that one thing I believe we all should do more of…read. While surfing my RSS feeds, I came across a short article written by Jeff Haden. Jeff is a ghostwriter for some of the smartest business leaders in the country, and he wrote a great top ten list that expresses the thoughts I have accumulated since opening my first business in 1999. After reading his list, I sat in awe, reflecting that other business owners might have the same thoughts I do...I’m not alone! Below is my personal take on his list…to see Jeff’s article in its entirety, click here – http://bit.ly/zF8rtg
10 Things I Wish My Employees Knew
I care about whether you like me. It’s hard for me to be “one of the guys,” but I really want to. I’m sure most people don’t want to “hang out” with their boss after hours, but I would like to…I count you as my friends.
I don’t think I know everything. Far from it. As a matter of fact, I love hiring smart people. Not only does it make my job as a business owner easier, I really like to be around people who are “thinkers” and can talk about more than news.
I think it’s great when you’re having fun. Don’t stop on my account. I love to see people laughing, goofing off and having a fun time at work. It makes me feel that I have employees who are more than robots and feel comfortable being themselves.
I want to pay you more. I know you work hard and I want to reward you for it. As the business grows, please understand that I will pay you more….in benefits and salary. My goal isn’t to be rich and I want to have all my employees share in the success of the business…I’m not greedy.
I want you to work here forever. It’s unrealistic I know, but I do. When people leave, it hurts me. I have tried to create a “family” and when a person leaves I take it personally…even though I might not show it.
Selling isn’t easy. When I sell a client, we don’t always know what we are getting into. Sometimes our clients suck….please understand that I know that. Other times we land clients that I know are going to be bad; I don’t say it aloud, but I’m taking them on to make payroll and keep the lights on. Thanks for doing your best with the good and the bad ones.
I love it when you take control. I have better things to do than your job and to worry about if you are doing a good job. I hire people to do the job they can do for the company, not to fulfill a job description written on a piece of paper. I want you to own your position and make it better.
I notice when others don’t pull their weight. I’m not blind; I can see when members of the team are not doing their jobs. And it’s not that I am not doing anything about it…I’m just not broadcasting it to everyone. I believe in giving everyone many chances to do their best…Someday you may need that same empathy.
There are some things I just can’t tell you. I hate the old fatherly adage, “because I said so,” but sometimes I either can’t or don’t have time to explain all my actions. When that happens, don’t think it is because I don’t trust you, just know that I believe I am doing what I think is best for you and the business.
I worry all the time. I love the fact that my employees can leave work and forget about it…but I can’t and don’t. I want everyone on staff outside of work time to forget about deadlines, meetings and their to do list….use non work time to recharge your battery and have a life…and leave the worrying to me.
