Often, when working with business owners, I find that when they’re in a valley in their business, they begin micromanaging their people’s every move. They feel the need to do this because they see their employees’ actions and behaviors are not up to par with expectations.
Now, these same employees have likely demonstrated in the past that they can perform at above expectations. This tells me that what the business owner is seeing isn’t the actual deficiency, but a symptom of something deeper. And unfortunately, micromanaging only causes a further downward spiral of results. Why? Because feeling a lack of control is one of the top causes of burnout in the workplace.
The Power of Purpose
Sometimes, the real issue with employee performance boils down to a lack of purpose – a lack of direction. To illustrate this point, I’ll quote Jim Rohn: “The price is easy when the promise is clear.”
What did he mean by that? He’s saying the “promise” is a person’s vision of the future, and the “price” is what must be paid to reach that future. Think about it: imagine having something exciting to look forward to at the end of the week, like a weekend event. With that event in mind, your work during the week can seem effortless. But with nothing to look forward to, that same work can feel like a tough grind. This is why it’s so important for individuals to set life goals – keeping their eye on the prize keeps them moving forward effectively.
The Leader’s Role
So, where does a business owner or leader come in? Well, according to Gallup, one of the keys to employee engagement is the mission or purpose of the company. Having a strong mission or purpose makes employees feel their work is important. It’s the “promise” that makes paying the “price” easy.
Reflect on your business. Have you articulated the promise of your business clearly to your team? Would you be inspired to do your best work if you were in their shoes?