Cool Vs Fool (BOSS)

Cool Vs Fool (BOSS)

"Your 'Work Culture' defines the future of your Organisation" RJ 

Being the owner, President, or CEO of a business is probably not as glamorous as you imagined it to be. Your days are generally filled with "to do lists" and your evenings are filled with a "what I didn't do and what to do tomorrow list." In all this me, me, me, you must make time to ensure that your employees are not working for a fool.

More than likely you believe that you are doing a fabulous job, and that may in fact be the truth. But if your employees think they are working for a fool, they are probably correct. There is an easy way to identify and rectify this issue, unless of course you are indeed a fool!

"Everybody Dream of a Great Society, Very few work to make One" -RJ

Ask yourself these questions, but before you quickly answer them, think about how your employees would answer them. That will be your answer.

1. Do you enjoy what you do? This is a crucial question to ask yourself. If you do not truly enjoy being in the position you are in and selling the product or services that you sell, how in the world could your employees? Your level of joy is what trickles down and either rises up or drowns the employees.
2. Are you approachable? Sitting in the Captain's chair during a board meeting does not make you approachable. Does every employee feel as if they could approach you and give an idea, discuss an issue, or get your advice? It truly makes me nauseated when I see an owner prance through the warehouse without saying hello to many people. You see the employees are all frightened by this "all mighty" owner! If that is you, you are not approachable and the only crown you should wear is the fool one.

1. Do you offer an environment of encouragement? When the owner promotes encouragement, it allows the employees to feel valued. When the top dog is encouraging, more often than not, the leadership will show the same to spread throughout the company. Encouragement is a huge factor in a positive working environment.
2. Do you make sure that the employee's have ample time off? This is a very foolish mistake that far too many business owners make. When your employees are working long hours consistently, burnout is inevitable. Their home lives become damaged, which more often than not will affect their performance at work. They become bitter feeling underpaid, not appreciated, over worked! Make sure that your employees have ample amount of home time or away from the office time. Your foolishness will create high turnover and poor office morale.
3. Do you listen? If you are the type of boss that speaks more than you listen, your employees are working for a fool. When employees feel heard, they gain a feeling of inclusion and value. Listening to your employees will also guide you as to what needs to be improved upon, what is currently working best, and any new ideas they have. All in which increases growth for your company.
4. Do you verbalize appreciation? It is a foolish boss that assumes either that the employees know they are appreciated or that paying them is enough appreciation. Thank you, great job, nice work, great attitude...these all go a long way to people. Verbal appreciation is crucial for people to feel noticed and sometimes that is the difference between a person that shows up just for the paycheck, or one that truly cares about the company.
5. Do you communicate in a clear concise manner? When people do not grasp what you are saying, it is easy for them to think it is you that is the fool. In this case, they would be correct. Your employees need to know what your expectations are, the reasons why, and the ways to get there! If your communication style is missing any of these then you need to fix it. It is in your best interest that everybody fully understands your message.
6. Do you make sure that they are properly trained? Nothing makes you more of a fool than setting your employees up for failure! It is your duty to make sure that your leadership is continually trained on leadership (how to be a motivating, positive, empathetic leader), not solely on your product or service. Your other employees should be properly trained on safety, attitude, life, and the latest changes in the industry that directly affects them. It is far more expensive to employ untrained people than to get them the proper training. Everybody benefits from training!
7. Is it your way or the highway, always? Only fools believe that there is solely one right way to do things. I understand that most things in a company should be the owner's way or the highway, but not all things. When you close yourself off from hearing an employee's suggestion of how to do something, you may be missing out on a better, faster, more reasonable way to get things done. Sometimes your way is the best way but sometimes it isn't. Don't let your ego get in your way of this growth.
8. Do you get Coaching / training? This is the top question here! If you think that you are above benefiting from coaching or training then no matter what your previous answers are, your employees are truly working for a fool! As the boss, you need to make sure that you are INVESTING in yourself, making sure that you are mentally strong and learning new methods that apply to your industry. It is crucial that you make time away from work as well. The last thing you want is to realize that not only the employees, but you too are working for a fool!

Remember, just because you are a fool today does not mean that you have to be one tomorrow. Do what you have to do to make sure that you and your employees are happy, healthy, and enjoying every day! If owning your own business was easy, everybody would do it!

“A Company is people … employees want to know… am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People really need to feel wanted.” - Richard Branson

RJ