If you have poor performance from your people, it's probably you!

It really disappoints me when I see a business owners treating their people as though they owe a debt of gratitude just because they get paid. It also upsets me when I see a business leader blaming everyone around them for their own incompetence. If you have poor performance from your people, it’s probably you!

Here are some situations to consider:

1. Your people are moping around and moving at a snail’s pace – are you walking around with a spring in your step and a positive attitude that inspires those around you?

2. An employee makes an error or does something that causes a problem – do you reprimand the person, beat them with verbal abuse and shake your finger as though you’re disciplining your pet dog? Worse still, do you do it in public?

3. Things go missing or simply get misplaced – do you immediately accuse and blame everyone else around you and treat them all with suspicion?

4. Your people don’t want to do anything more than they have to – are you paying your people the bare minimum you legally have to and expecting the world from them?

I see these situations all the time and it’s about time business leaders realise that if you want to build a CHAMPION team and a stand out business, you need to look at yourself before you point the finger at your people.

I have some questions for you if you’re a business leader:

When was the last time you had a good heart to heart with every employee in your business? I don’t care how many employees you have. It’s about approachability and now’s a perfect time of the year to have a performance review and career development discussion with your team.
How often do you praise your people for the little things and reward them for the big things? It’s not all about money. There are many ways to reward your team and if you’d like a list let me know.
What is your real view of those that work for you? Do you show your appreciation for the fact that they are helping you achieve your ultimate objectives?
When times are good, do you invest in your relationships with your people so that you can call on them when times are not so great?
Do you walk the talk? In other words, are you congruent? Do you live and display the values that you want from your people?
Would you want to be led by you? Answer this one honestly!

In 2013, make it your focus to improve your leadership ability by making small improvements in how you interact with your people and remember that without them, achieving your business objectives is going to be pretty tough!

I’ll leave you with a business secret from Richard Branson: