Education

Lead the Way

November 5, 2006 | By: deaneparkes

Do you like being told what to do? Do you like it when you are shopping and are told ‘it is not my decision’ or ‘I do not make the rules around here’ or ‘that is company policy I cannot do anything about it?’ or some other ‘pass the buck’ comment. Well I know you will be passing the buck, to some other business that values your business.

Maybe you have not noticed but life seems to have cranked up lately. It seems there is little or no ‘down time’ as we are always on the go. For a business owner or management there seems to be less time to train or spend face to face with the customers. This is ok ‘if’, and it is a big ‘if’, you have helped develop a leadership culture within your organization. This one focus will help grow employee engagement [interest in your success], enhance culture [create a high performance positive workplace], and dramatically improve performance and produce better results. The ability to develop leaders may be the most important way to have a competitive advantage.

So what does it take to grow leaders? [Along with this list I suggest you buy books, CDs and find leadership seminars that come to your community].

• Leaders are focused – The entire team knows what is expected of him or her and is trained to do the job. They take 100% responsibility for their job. When a problem arises they do not place blame but work to find solutions.
• Leaders understand the customer must be happy and will always keep customer satisfaction top of mind. When a problem arises with a customer they see the opportunity to work toward a positive solution and create a customer for life.
• Leaders take responsibility for results. Too many companies place all the ‘stress’ on a few to create sales and profit. Many are kept in the dark as to ‘the numbers’ and how these ‘numbers’ will be attained. Everyone should know how he or she could help create wins for the business…everyone!
• Leaders understand the cost of doing business. A leader knows the business needs a profit to continue to provide service and products to the customers. By focusing on leadership you will find all staff finding ways to reduce costs while finding ways to increase sales. Everyone should understand the cost of doing business as it relates to your business.
• Leaders need a positive outlook – It is proven treating customers in a positive, enthusiastic and caring way builds long-term customers. A staff of leaders will take responsibility to ensure the customers are happy.
• Leaders commit to being the best – There is always room to do better and a leadership team looks for ways to personally improve and also find ways to improve the business.
• The new leadership is based on caring – Everyone inside and outside a business wants to be treated well. The days of the power hungry, tyrant boss is coming to an end. There still are some people who enjoy being told what to do.

There are many other keys to building a leadership team however how do you get there?

First off not every owner is able to have a business full of ‘leaders’. For need of control or fear of mistakes many top management find themselves unable to release decisions to their staff. To those I empathize as stress levels and health issues usually are the result of feeling you are the only one who can do the job properly.

• You need the right people. I know this is easier said than done for finding good staff is a challenge. [Especially these days in Edmonton].
• Surround yourself with people who make up for your weaknesses. It is unwise to think you can be all things to a business. Maybe when you started you had no choice but for you to grow you need people who are better than you at every aspect of the business.

Some leadership positions in a retail store – cashier, buyer, stock person, cleaning staff, payables person, supplement sales, produce manager and every other job. EVERYONE COUNTS! If you understand the simple concept of developing leaders in every position you will have the best darn staff. Also you will rest easier, reduce stress and enjoy your time off.

To quote Robin Sharma author of The Greatness Guide:

‘…. everyone needs to take responsibility for getting results that they generate. Everyone needs to take part to shape culture. Everyone needs to be positive and inspirational. Everyone needs to keep customers happy and protect the brand/business. Everyone is a leader. But not everyone is the same.’