Random Business Thoughts
Regardless if you have 1 or 1,000 employees, there are some things “I” feel are fundamental when placed in a leadership position.
You need to EARN the respect of your team. This shouldn’t be automatic, and if it is, it won’t last long. You earn by the quality and ethics of the work you do, as well as what you stand for. Your name and position will only get you so far.
You need to work! Just because you have a team doesn’t mean you can get lazy. I would argue and say the more people you have working for you, the harder you need to work.
I believe the owner should never be outworked by anyone in the company. Your team is paid to work a set number of hours per week. YOU are paid to RUN a business, and this is a 24/7 job – if you like it or not. You have to question your success if you aren’t working the hardest. How can you lead by example if you’re the laziest person on the team? If you are not working harder how hard do you expect them to work?
This also means you need to hire people who will push you to get better AND work harder. You do this by hiring people who are better and smarter than you in certain area’s.
No job is too big or too small. If your staff needs help, then HELP them! Delegation is one thing but people get overwhelmed, and you need to step in and help out. This will show them you are not just “the boss” but the guy who is willing to step up and help get the job done. If they still can't get the job done, fire them. They will not only create more work for you but also for the rest of your staff. They will also cost you 10x more in human and financial capital the longer you keep them. Own up to your mistake and let them thrive somewhere else.
While you may get all the accolades, you deserve none. Your staff does. When errors are made anywhere in the chain, those are on you.
Owning your own business will be the best job you will ever hate. It’s not for everyone and, it’s never what you think it’s going to be, but it has its perks. If you LOVE the technical aspects of your work, don’t ever give that up... be great at that and let someone else deal with the business BS. Don’t let some guru entrepreneur that’s working out of their Mom’s basement tell you otherwise. You don't want to end up hating what you are passionate about.
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