Proven Communication Strategies To Deal With Employees In A Small Business
You’ve invested your nest egg in a small business. Your business plan will work. You have the “fire in the belly” of the emerging entrepreneur. You are not lazy, and you are willing to work around the clock to make your dreams come true. You’ve hired good people, correctly read your success compass or GPD, and are heading in the right direction. You’re a little nervous, but optimistic.
GOOD TALK HABITS AT WORK
So what communication strategies (or “good talk habits”) do real-life entrepreneurs use? I posed that very question to Brenda and Rick Weber, who established and own The Cobblestone Village and Cafe in Waynesville, Ohio. In their own words, they routinely use these seven keys to keep lines of communication open with their employees:
1. MAKE YOURSELF ACCESSIBLE. Routinely ask “How’s it going?” and listen with interest to the responses.
Example: “This is done by checking in with employees daily, maybe several times a day, to let them know you are interested in what they’re doing. That way you don’t isolate yourself in an office everyday.”
2. WORK AS A TEAM WITH EMPLOYEES. Constantly build a “We-Team” and can-do attitude vs. a “Me-Team.”
Example: “We try to do this each day by pitching in and by physically or intellectually helping out wherever help is needed. Do not always be the one who delegates; be the helper too!”
3. INCLUDE EMPLOYEES IN DECISION-MAKING. Especially encourage your quieter employees to speak up.
Example: “The best way this works for us is by addressing job-related problems, improvements, and changes with the employees. Solicit their feedback and solutions, then integrate their ideas with our ideas.”
4. BE FLEXIBLE. Keep focusing on doing what works and making it just a little bit better each day.
Example: “How we do this is by offering different ways or options of achieving the desired result. For instance, if the stockroom needs organized, I let employees pick the best time to do it, as long as it gets finished by the end of the week. Or, I don’t mind if you take a certain day off as long as you work it out with your work partner and let me know.
5. CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS. Celebrate the journey instead of the destination.
Example: “Let employees know you appreciate what they do, and talk about how they do it. If an employee helps you design a Web site for your company and they do a great job, let them know immediately that you love what they have done, and that you really appreciate their talents in this area.”
6. HAVE INTEGRITY. Do what you say you are going to do and be trustworthy.
Example: “We love this one! If you tell an employee that you are going to follow through on something or help them work on a project, then do it! If a circumstance arises so that you cannot participate, then tell them ahead of time instead of just not doing it! Let employees know they can trust you with their confidences.”
7. MAKE IT A FUN PLACE TO WORK. Work is supposed to be fun, challenging, and enjoyable.
Example: “Be happy and positive as a manager or boss. Then fun and happiness will trickle down and follow you everywhere!”
Use these simple yet effective leadership communication secrets as you ride along the two-way communication highway toward a town called Success.
Dennis O’Grady
Dennis O’Grady is the author of Talk to Me: Communication Moves To Get Along With Anyone. He is a Dayton-based corporate trainer and can be reached at www.drogrady.com.
GOOD TALK HABITS AT WORK
Use these talk habits at work to keep lines of communication open:
1. MAKE YOURSELF ACCESSIBLE.
2. WORK AS A TEAM WITH EMPLOYEES.
3. INCLUDE EMPLOYEES IN DECISION-MAKING.
4. BE FLEXIBLE.
5. CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS.
6. HAVE INTEGRITY.
7. MAKE IT A FUN PLACE TO WORK.
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — April 25, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Some of the characteristics you listed of the “ogre boss” sound like a person in management who works here. There are difficult periods of high employee turnover when this individual “runs rampant.” Luckily for me, my direct report is a “good boss” so I’m not much affected.
A “bad boss rampage” from the problem individual, it doesn’t phaze me too much as this individual has already shown themselves to be unworthy of much respect. To me, if I don’t have much respect for someone, the words they utter don’t have much meaning/power.
Ken
Comment by Ken — April 25, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Dear Bass Fisherman Dr.D…. NONE of the above are even REMOTELY invoved in Postal Communications to say the Least…This is not Sour Grapes , Merely Fact…
2,3,4,5,7,,,Would be the Furthest way off…You have in general, People with limited Skills making over Dbl the average income in America…That is used as the motivating Factor thru other methods…Your a Good Man Dr. D…Take Care….Tim..
Comment by Timthetiger — April 25, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
Hi, Dennis! It’s good to hear from you. Thanks for thinking of me with the interview with Rick and Brenda. Yes, I can confirm that Rick walked this talk when I worked for him! I smiled at several of the comments, thinking how much they sounded like him. I have not worked with Brenda, but have the impression she would follow these principles as well. About a year ago I arranged to take the marketing department to Rick’s for lunch. I asked him to join us for lunch to share his philosophies on customer service. It was very enlightening and enjoyable. I remember Rick as a person who had the ability to make you think you were the ONLY person on the face of the earth who could do what you do in the way you do it. He could correct you in a way that made you want to thank him when you walked out of his office. He embodies the idea that “you give in order to get”. He practices this in business and in his personal life. I often refer to his ideas when talking with others here at LADD.
I hope things are going well for you. Thanks, again, for contacting me.
Best regards,
Molli
Comment by Molli — April 25, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Your book shows you how to control your emotions when your life is running out of your control. Things aren’t all perfect and fixed, but they’ve gotten a lot better. Coming across your work was an answer to a prayer.
Comment by John — April 26, 2007 @ 11:09 am
The worst person to lie to is yourself. I was in a cocoon telling myself everything was fine, and I was doing pretty good. Your articles on how to avoid family communication crashes has helped me cope.
Comment by Mary Kay — April 27, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Good stuff, Dennis! I really appreciate your dedication to the education of the public.
Thanks,
John Rudisill
Dean, Wright State University School of Professional Psychology
Comment by Dean John — April 27, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
I’m seeing through a new set of glasses. I’m done with being a victim. “You’re a loser!” was a trip I would frequently send myself on. After using your “inner talk” tools, I realize now that “There’s another way of looking at this.” I move forward when I decide to take steps in a new direction.
Comment by Jan — April 27, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
You always exceed my expectations. I’ve been able to steer clear of a 26 car pile up on the communication highway by using your work. Positive communication is the leader of positive change.
Comment by Toni — April 27, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
Hi Dr. Ogrady
It was very nice to meet you today, and I can see a lot of useful information on you’r web site. Thank You Scott
Comment by JSG — May 1, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Proven Communication Strategies to Deal with Employees in a Small Business
GOOD TALK HABITS AT
WORK So what
communication strategies
(or “good talk habits”) do
real-life entrepreneurs use?
I posed that very question
to Brenda and Rick Weber,
who established and own
The Cobblestone Village
and Cafe in Way…
Trackback by Business Communication Headline News — May 2, 2007 @ 6:30 pm