Let’s be very clear; Your business is much more than bricks and mortar. Your business isn’t just the systems and tools you use to get things done. Your business isn’t just the products you sell or the services you offer. The biggest success factor of any business is the PEOPLE, doing the right job at the right time. Assuming this is true, (and I’m writing this blog post, so we will assume that for now). . .
WHY do we allow people-problems to go unaddressed?
At this point I can almost feel you squirming in your seat. You might be tempted to “stick your head back in the sand” and stop reading this post, but stay with me here. People-problems do not have to be as uncomfortable as you might imagine. Take a deep breath and let’s look at the situation.
Some of the most common people problems I’ve run into are:
These are just a handful of people-problems I’ve run into over the years. You and I both know this list could extend into eternity.
People-problems happen, that’s just the reality of the situation. As a business owner it’s your job, responsibility, and duty to handle them no matter what shape or form they come in.
Let’s now step back and take a look at some of the reasons business owners refuse to deal with people-problems. This list is a select few of what I hear most often. . .
Do any of these sound familiar to you? If so, let me be frank. You are making crappy, wussy excuses to not deal with the issues head-on. You know better than that. You’ve built a business. You have overcome huge obstacles to get where you are today. When you were struggling for your first client, did you make up excuses? NO! YOU GOT IT DONE!
My intent here isn’t to hurt your feelings; I am trying to be constructive. I want to help you help yourself, which in turn will allow you to help your own business.
If you are still here, you probably recognize the value in handling your people-problems. You are probably waiting for me to tell you what to do about it. So here is the simple solution to your problem, (not that you don’t already know how to do this). . .
Fix your people problems to help your business
Schedule a meeting with the employee that has an unresolved people-problem. Right at the onset of this meeting, let them know you are going to have a candid, adult conversation with them. Let the person know your intention is not to hurt their feelings but rather give constructive feedback on how they can improve. You want to help that person help themselves, which in turn will allow them to be more valuable to your business. (Sound familiar? Go up two paragraphs and read it!)
Now for the tricky part, just give it to them straight. Do not get emotional and do not get off track here. Do not end this meeting until both of you are clear on what the issue is. Finally, clearly identify what actions you are both going to take to help correct it in the future. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Pro tip: it IS simple!
There you have it, no more excuses! Don’t be the people-problem in your business. Be the leader you know you can be!
Eric Deschamps | Business Coach
Eric Deschamps – Business Coach Ottawa
Lead Coach Mentor / Co-Founder of Rhapsody Strategies “Helping others succeed has always been my passion. There is no greater feeling in the world than coming alongside someone and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.” I work with individuals with a single and simple purpose: to help them define and attain their goals, one step at a time. Through the coaching relationship, I help business owners and professionals achieve more by delivering world-class growth strategies, tools and advice individually tailored to each owner and his/her business.
WHY do we allow people-problems to go unaddressed?
At this point I can almost feel you squirming in your seat. You might be tempted to “stick your head back in the sand” and stop reading this post, but stay with me here. People-problems do not have to be as uncomfortable as you might imagine. Take a deep breath and let’s look at the situation.
Some of the most common people problems I’ve run into are:
- A salesperson that doesn’t bring in new business.
- The staff member that likes to bring personal drama to work every day.
- Someone with a poor work ethic.
- The employee that makes a lot of mistakes.
- Someone that resists change.
- The once fabulous team member that has slipped into mediocrity.
- I’m too busy.
- The person may quit; besides, nobody’s perfect.
- I don’t like conflict.
- He/she will only make excuses and be offended and it won’t work anyway.
- This person has a lot of great traits. I don’t want to be too critical.
- If I ask that person to improve, he/she will want me to improve on my weaknesses too.
My intent here isn’t to hurt your feelings; I am trying to be constructive. I want to help you help yourself, which in turn will allow you to help your own business.
If you are still here, you probably recognize the value in handling your people-problems. You are probably waiting for me to tell you what to do about it. So here is the simple solution to your problem, (not that you don’t already know how to do this). . .
Fix your people problems to help your business
Schedule a meeting with the employee that has an unresolved people-problem. Right at the onset of this meeting, let them know you are going to have a candid, adult conversation with them. Let the person know your intention is not to hurt their feelings but rather give constructive feedback on how they can improve. You want to help that person help themselves, which in turn will allow them to be more valuable to your business. (Sound familiar? Go up two paragraphs and read it!)
Now for the tricky part, just give it to them straight. Do not get emotional and do not get off track here. Do not end this meeting until both of you are clear on what the issue is. Finally, clearly identify what actions you are both going to take to help correct it in the future. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Pro tip: it IS simple!
There you have it, no more excuses! Don’t be the people-problem in your business. Be the leader you know you can be!
Eric Deschamps | Business Coach
Lead Coach Mentor / Co-Founder of Rhapsody Strategies “Helping others succeed has always been my passion. There is no greater feeling in the world than coming alongside someone and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.” I work with individuals with a single and simple purpose: to help them define and attain their goals, one step at a time. Through the coaching relationship, I help business owners and professionals achieve more by delivering world-class growth strategies, tools and advice individually tailored to each owner and his/her business.