Let’s say you opened up your very first company. You’re so excited because you planned this for several months or even years, and here it comes! This is what you’ve been dreaming of for the longest time. You’re also excited because all your hard work paid off as you’re now the Boss, the CEO of the Company.
But the thing is, you don’t know how to manage people. You don’t know how to be a good leader. You’re afraid that your employees won’t follow your instructions properly, and thus it can lead to your investment fall off. So what can you do to resolve this issue?
Examine your Interest
Try to think of the things that you’re interested in. Even if it seems unusual and weird, what do you like the most? How do you want to spend your free time? And what do you think would be the reaction of your closest friends?
For example, you probably love to go hiking with strangers. Everything is planned – the things that you need to wear and to bring, the location of your journey, and expenses included. Just imagining this and really getting into that position, you’ll know how fascinating your journey would be.
However, when you tried to share your experience with other people, they might not be as interested as you were expecting them to be. You’d be driving them insane. No one might want to agree with you in doing it because let’s look at the fact. Hiking is one of the most dangerous activities, especially when you’re alone and you’re not used to doing so. Another point is you’re going to do it with a companion from strangers! The risks are higher!
Then how would you feel? Of course, it’s bothersome. You really want to do this yet other people, especially your closest friends and family, are against it! What a bummer.
But what if other people just don’t care about you and your plan and stories. It’s even worse! You’ll get sad and mad at the same time. You feel like they’re not aware of your existence and whatever might happen to you. You might want to go, leave, and never to contact them ever again!
Yes, we do understand such emotions, and it’s normal. In instances, would you bother them and try to initiate what you like? Force them to hear you out and be happy for you. Of course not! We don’t want to be that crazy pushover so that we can insist on what we prefer or like.
The same goes for running a business. If you hired an employee and wanted to have this healthy relationship with the rest of the team, you won’t try to reinforce things. Instead, you would wish to imposed values. How so?
Showing Values
Remember that you won’t feel good if other people show disinterests with your likes. That’s why you can try to hear them out instead. Support what they like (as long as it’s healthy and legal).
Doing so can show what you have in store for them.
You can try to ask them about their motivation in working with you. As time goes by, just like any individual, you can initiate a conversation with their interests. What are their likes and dislikes? Are they home bud or outgoing? Do they also like to be an entrepreneur in the near future? What do they like doing the most? Questions like these would make them feel that you care.
After hearing them out, you can continue the conversation by speaking about your interests (whether you share the same or not). You can also give them a backstory or a piece of advice that they can take and keep.
Your employee might think: “Oh, he or she is not just about making a profit out of us.” “He or she is just like the rest of the normal people who show care to the things that we like.” “I’d like to work more for him/her.” Hearing these are just good music to our ears.
Other than asking them about what they like, why not act according to it? You can probably give them a gift (not unless if you’re willing to), treat them to the places they want to explore, buy them books based on their interest. You can also do it in the simplest way, such as sending an article, capturing photos, and recording a video or audio, all in regards to their interests.
What does it show
You showed them what it feels like to share certain values and principles — challenging their own set of standards to have a better viewpoint in life. Displaying such can manifest towards their personality and working performance. They would appreciate it with much happiness and greater joy.
Additionally, this could be applied not just for your employees, your clients, assistant, family but to whomever you’re dealing with inside and outside your working field. This would show them that you matter to them, thus giving them a room to show the same interest, value, care, and principles with you. It is really an underrated key to a successful team.
