During a meeting this week with a business owner client and their key manager employees, I had a bit of an epiphany. This is how it came about:
I had just completed the process of clarifying the personal goals of the business owners. Too often, I observe business goals conflicting and overriding the personal goals of the owners, therefore, we clarify personal goals first, and then align the business vision to serve the personal goals.
One of the managers participating in the process simplified life in one sentence:
“For me, if the business I work for doesn’t help get me where I want to go personally, I ain’t stickin’ around there too long!”
Employees have personal goals too!
Wow – so now it all makes sense on how to really take a small business forward:
- The business owners need to figure out the direction they want to go with their family life and then build their business to help them get there.
- New hires, informed of the business direction and goals, can decide if it aligns with their personal goals.
- If key employees have the same vision as the business owners, the best thing the owners can do is get out of their way and let them take the business forward!
