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Feb 19, 2015 Written by Marketing Eye Dallas
Late fall, I started the process of selling my Dallas-based business that I've built for the past seven years. The difficult thing was not putting the business up for sale, but telling my employees. Many have been with me since the early years and have been my support as my business has grown.
As I made a personal call to each employee this week, I was pleasantly surprised by their reaction. Most were not disappointed that I was selling as they saw this as a natural progression in my career. They were disappointed that they would no longer be working for me. This made me think, what did I do right that made them feel this way, and can I do it again as I build a new staff at my next business.
As I made a personal call to each employee this week, I was pleasantly surprised by their reaction. Most were not disappointed that I was selling as they saw this as a natural progression in my career. They were disappointed that they would no longer be working for me. This made me think, what did I do right that made them feel this way, and can I do it again as I build a new staff at my next business.
I came back to one of my favorite quotes, "Be someone who makes everyone feel like somebody". I often apply this to clients, but it is also important in building a staff. I haven't always been able to offer a high salary, but I have tried to always do my best to show my appreciation Over the years, many of my employees and I have become friends. We shared the ups and downs of life and watch each other's families grow.
Developing a relationship with your employees can take a delicate balance between developing a relationship and not being too close. You want to like the people you work with, but still be able to make the tough decisions that come with being a business owner. I hope to still stay in touch with many of my employees; sharing information about our families and hobbies. I just don't want to have a relationship that is as intimate as with my best friends. Those people I go to with my vulnerabilities, fears, or even just my silliness.
My guess is that this is a balance that women struggle with more than men. I never see my husband struggle with relationships. Where to draw the line in a work friendship. I do however, see it with my friends and other women in leadership positions.
Is there a secret to a manager/employee relationship and do men handle it better than women?
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