Why do my employees seem unable to get anything done without constant supervision?
I have found that it is not uncommon for small business people to unknowingly send the wrong signals to their employees in the form of inappropriate utterances, incomplete instructions, no job descriptions and a failure to do any type of business planning.
Let us look at each of these in a little more detail.
Inappropriate utterances – An employer may tell an employee in moment of frustration that “this business can not function without me, I am the only one who cares about this business, this business is mine and I can do what I want, I am the boss etc. etc”. These types of statements can create a level of frustration in the mind of the employee that can lead to negative behavior. You are advised to remember the old saying “do on to other as you would have them do on to you”.
Incomplete instructions – An employer may issue an instruction without having all the necessary information to full understanding themselves what objectives are to be met. The employee is left to interpret the instruction as his own risk. I have found that sharing the objectives to be achieved with the person charged with the task can lead to a greater chance of success.
Lack of a job description – It amazes me how many small businesses think it unnecessary to have job descriptions for themselves and their employees in order to get the day to day task done on a consistent basis. This can lead to all types of confusion. Please spend time to prepare job description for all staff including you.
Business Planning - While it may not be necessary to share all aspects of your “dream” with your employees it is important that the organization as a whole sets short, medium and long term goals and that these goals are communicated to all members of the “team”. This tends to increase moral leading to increasing productivity.