Do you think you’re a great boss? I wonder if your employees would agree.
I often hear business leaders complain about their employees with things like:
“The call in sick all the time for no reason at all”
“They want a raise and they definitely don’t deserve it”
“They don’t take any ownership at all for their work or the company”
The reality is that far too many founders underpay their employees, treat their employees poorly, show very little appreciation, and expect them to still perform at a high level and treat the business as if it were their own.
Here’s a quick reality check:
1. Business owners are not job creators, customers are job creators
The only reason you have employees is because they help you market, sell, create, and deliver your product to your customers, which in turn, adds profits and value to your business.
Your employees are creating value for your business, and in many cases, the owner is the one reaping all the benefits.
Go out of your way to show intense amounts of gratitude and appreciation for your customers and your employees or you will find yourself wondering what happened to your great business.
2. You need your employees more than they need you
They are necessary to the success of your business.
If you are unhappy with your team, then fire them and get someone who you can appreciate.
But know that it will be much easier for any employee to find a new job, than for you to find, hire, and train someone to replace them. If you have great employees, treat them like it.
The job market has changed significantly over the past 18 months. Employees can now work from anywhere, which means they have a lot more options.
Employees have also started to figure out that the wage disparity between those at the top and bottom is out of control, and they’re demanding more.
If you don’t catch up to these realizations, you are setting your company up for failure.
If you want to get more out of your team and build a team that treats your business like their own, consider offering them a raise, a bonus, or a vacation before they ask for it.
Go out of your way to recognize and appreciate them publicly.
Train your employees well enough so they can go anywhere and treat them well enough that they don’t want to.
