Its all about the people focus
Management of your business has one crucial focus – people. It’s all about people.
The great leaders and the business gurus know this. They coach their business forward with the energy they invest into others. Leaders who struggle tend to spend too much unnecessary time putting out fires. Staffing problems and individual issues can swamp a business with poor efficiency, inconsistent productivity and bad performance.
Each of these critical areas stems from the inability to understand and empathise with others. Try following the three fundamentals below to maximise the people focus in your business, and also consider training programmes for managers.
1) Empathy
See the role from their shoes. Discover what they expect. Generally, people want more of what they have, whether it be financial rewards, recognition, a new office or a better life balance. There are so many variables, so as a leader your default position should be empathy. Be sincere and curious with it and watch a transformation. Consider – how can your business provide that one unique ingredient that activates the individual?
2) Listen, and then listen some more
Just look at all that interference going on inside our heads:
- Our agenda
- Our wants and needs
- That dreadful sense of urgency
- Questions
- Frustration/impatience – at everything we cannot control
Stop thinking – when you listen, listen to the whole. Observe body language and tone. Identify key repetitive words. To get onto the same ‘wave length,’ reflect what is said – sincerely. Talk about their interests, perceptions and visions.
Most people want to do well at work, so they will need to experience wins, small and regular. It is this motivation which can provide infinite energy. A manager who has a keen interest in others is a leader who celebrates the individual’s success, and because of this the employee typically enjoys working harder and longer.
3) Accountability
Setting defined responsibilities and objectives is an excellent gauge to consolidate the previous two points. The key is regular intervention. This is determined by the nature of your business, and of your staff, but monthly catch ups can be extremely effective, especially if the environment is ambitious and heavily target driven.
Below are just some of the advantages that regular contact on a 1-2-1 basis can provide:
- Monitor and assess individuals directly
- An opportunity to uncover issues
- Ability to offer praise and additional support
- Check motivation levels and perceptions
- Target efficiency, productivity and performance
Though not a comprehensive list, it is a great start to re-energise yourself, your staff and your business. The only question is… when do you want to start?
