Time for some tough love

12th September 2013

Are you too nice? This may seem like an odd question, but you might be amazed at the number of business owners who are just that. They admit it themselves, and know that they should be tougher on their staff, but the fear of confrontation or upsetting their staff overpowers their need to deal with issues.

I used to think the statement “Why should I care what other people think of me?” as arrogant, and completely unacceptable. However, over the past 10 years or so of coaching I have come to realise that too many of us spend far too much time worrying about what others think, and are try to conform to what we think to be acceptable behaviour to those people close to us, either at work or in our home lives.

The thing is, as business owners we are not there to make friends, but to build a thriving enterprise which is profitable, and which gives stability and a steady income to our employees. If we spend too much time trying to ingratiate ourselves with our staff by “helping” with the tasks we have employed them to do, then we will not be spending enough time on growing the business, forming the strategy for the future, and managing our staff. In fact more often than not this can lead to missing key issues which can affect profitability and which could even lead to the closure of the business.

No-one will thank you if you go down this road. Your staff will respect you, thank you, and even become friends, if you can run an efficient, profitable business which ensures their family’s financial security and lifestyle.

So next time you find yourself giving your staff excuses, or covering for them, or even avoiding potential confrontations, think again. Isn’t it time you stopped being too nice, give some tough love, and consider the bigger picture.

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