Growing People
Will Grow Your Business
Pastor Joel Osteen tells this story - An observer was watching a fisherman having a very successful day. He caught many large fish, however released the large and kept the smaller fish. When questioned, the fisherman’s response was ‘I only have a 10 inch frying pan’.
If your vision is small, you will limit your life. You need to enlarge the vision - prepare larger containers and grow people with greater capacity. That way you will see increase in your own life as well as theirs.
Myths To Avoid
1. ‘I need to know more than my staff’
I discovered many years ago that leaders who actively encouraged their staff to learn, grow and take on more challenges – even to the point of exceeding their own abilities as leaders – were those who really stood out.
I have had leaders working under me who were threatened by any staff member who could out-perform them and stifled their growth, thinking this made them look good by comparison. This actually had the reverse effect - overall results were poor and the business couldn’t grow beyond this one person’s capacity.
2. ‘It’s quicker to do it myself!’
It’s actually hard work to delegate - to watch others make mistakes that you could have avoided, or to see others do things very differently than you would do them, but if you want to grow it is essential. The bottom line is – you can’t do everything! If you insist on making every decision yourself you will drive away any potential leaders who could take your business further than you can.
3. ‘We’ve always done it this way!’
Often there is a better way to do what you are handing over, you’ve just been too busy to think of it. Allow and encourage creative thinking – new solutions could save you a lot of money!
4. ‘No-one else has the passion I have!’
This might be true right now, but to grow your business means growing your people as well. It means communicating the passion and giving them the motivation to go even further than you have. Look at what motivates your team. It could be simple things – competitions, prizes for certain achievements, team outings, bonuses, movie tickets or simple encouragement. Some employees I know really shone when simply recognised at work or offered accredited training in the field they were working.
Change From A Player To A Coach
As a leader the role you play in your business constantly changes. In order to grow the people in your business you need to change from a player to a coach, you will soon discover who is ready to move forward with you and who is not.
Step back, assess, avoid the myths and pass on your passion to see your business grow.
Peter Irvine
www.peterirvine.com
Peter is Co-Founder of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, author of ‘Win In Business’ and ‘Building your Business, your People, your Life’ and keynote speaker.
*'Failing Forward' is available for order at www.peterirvine.com.au
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