Thoughts on Leadership and Management

I found the below quote online and it started to make me think a bit about leadership and management in small business: Employees do not quit companies, they quit bosses." So you left your old job to start something for your self, to get out on your own and away from the mundane day to day actions of working for a large corporation. You went on your own so that you could be the leader of your company, not to take anything from anyone -- ever again. I have news for you. You are now the leader, the manager, the one in charge. You are now the person you ran away from. How are you going change? How are you going to lead your employees so as not to loose those great people you have spent days, weeks, months, or years training. I feel that many new businesses start because employees of a similar firm thought they could do it better. Here are some things that I have learned about leading employees in your new business. 1. Empowerment It is your business but you are small. You cannot afford to hire all the employees that you need so it is important to empower them to get the job done. Some of this goes into your training programs that you have for each employee but after they have been trained, begin letting them take on responsibilities so that you are not stuck doing everything. That is why you have employees. Use them and let them make decisions. 2. Encouragement While this sounds pretty obvious, it is not. I think that many times, the "manager" or "leader" of the business forgets that the rest are there. Notice everything that your employees are doing. Yes, you hired them to do they job they are doing but if they created a new system or operation that helps the bottom line, give them some credit. It is ok if it is an employee that creates something new and great and it is ok to give them all the credit. I think the main thing here is to notice the good things and not always the bad. Give them some reason to have a sense of ownership in your business. You will find that if you keep moral high, the business will do much better. 3. Share the Vision I think this is a big one. How are your employees supposed to be on board and believe in the business if they have no idea where the business is going. What are the goals and the mission of the company? It is important to share this with everyone and keep them updated. 4. Get Your Hands Dirty A friend was telling me of an old job he had at a very large window company. He was talking about how the CEO and other "upper management" people would come down to assembly and help put windows together on the line with everyone else. Are you will to do this as a leader? Just because you have a title does not take away your responsibility. This same company has a rule that if you have not been on the assembly line, you will not be a manager or leader of the company. You have to be willing, as the leader or manager, to get your hands dirty. Help out when needed and know what your employees are going through. 5. Don't Just Talk, Act When you say you are going to do something, do it. Nothing is worse than creating timelines, systems, and ideas and then not following through with them. When you decide that something needs to get done, put the people in charge to get it done, give them a benchmark or milestone to report on, and make sure that it happens. Report to the entire company as progress is made and act on everything While there are many things that come with the title of "leader" the ones I mention are things that I have seen in different companies that I have worked for. If leaders and managers will listen to their employees and treat them like people, it will make a lot of difference in the success of the business. I fully believe in the flat formation of business and feel that when people work together to get things done, success is unavoidable. When you as an employee for opinions and suggestions, be willing to listen and act on what they are saying. They are the front lines in many situations and know how the day to day is going. Be approachable and do what you can do lead and manage your employees on their level. ..be bold Tagged: leadership, management, small business, entrepreneurship, cafe evoke, catering, bozeman, montana