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In some start-up businesses, the need for employees is part of the business plan. For others, they begin small and then scale up when the times comes. Either way, becoming an employer is a vital part of being an entrepreneur.
That doesn’t mean it’s not daunting, though. Until this point in your life, you have been on the other side. You can easily fall into the same trap that new parents do. You will be different; you tell yourself. You’ll be the cool boss, the one who is easy to work for; you’ll cultivate a reputation of being laid back. Everyone will want to work with you and for you!
It’s something every new boss thinks, and it’s something they all fail on. Sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but studies have found that up to 87% of employees don’t trust their bosses. This is made all the harder in a start up, when employees can’t even point to an existing company reputation to reassure themselves.
There’s also the fact that you can’t be the cool boss, because being in charge isn’t cool. You’re ultimately the one who is going to make the decisions; you’re in charge of the bottom line; you do the hiring and firing. That means occasionally you’re going to need to have to crack the whip. No matter how justified you are in doing that, your employees are going to resent you.
The best approach is one of professional openness. There are a few different ways you can create this kind of culture. It may be a learning curve but, for your business to thrive, it’s one you need to start ascending.
#1 Have An Open Door Policy – Sometimes
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The idea of an open door policy is great. Someone can come to you whenever they want and discuss anything they want. This can, however, lead to people relying too heavily on you. One of the main things you will have to master is delegation; people need to make their decisions without your input. Choose one day to be your open door day and the rest of the time encourage people to be independent.
#2 Offer Help and Guidance
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To work productively, people need to feel they are going to be listened to. If you suspect an employee is struggling, there are a variety of employment support services that can help. Don’t expect to be able to fix all the problems yourself. This isn’t an area of expertise, and employees will appreciate the chance to speak to a neutral party. If someone does approach you in need of assistance, listen and be reasonable about their requests. You need these people at their best for the sake of the company, so be there for them.
#3 Host “Clear Out” Days
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Sometimes people just need to vent. Gather everyone together once a month and ask them to air their grievances. Have everyone agree the things said in the meeting will go no further, and find solutions in the room where possible.
This article was provided by ellie jo