Many business owners I work with get frustrated because their team sends them too many messages throughout the day.
…But others are annoyed that their team isn’t checking in enough and they don’t send updates unless prompted.
Some of my clients wish that their team would step up and make more decisions in the business so that things keep moving forward (and any issues can be fixed later).
…But others would rather things be done correctly, not quickly, and prefer that their team waits to act until they give the go ahead to avoid issues in the first place.
What I’ve learned through all of this is that every business owner has different preferences in how they want their team to operate. Sometimes even your own preferences vary depending on the situation and circumstances.
Here’s the thing though—your team can’t read your mind. 😉And most of the time, your team doesn’t actually know what you prefer unless you’ve told them.
So if you’re feeling frustrated with something your team is (or is not) doing, try this:
Tell them exactly what you want.
Do you value progress over perfection and so prefer your team to just execute? Let them know.
Do you want to have your eyes on every email to do a QA check before it goes out? Tell your team that.
Do you want them to send you a weekly check-in, even if there are no significant project updates? Make sure that’s clear.
Your team wants to make you happy—you just need to tell them how.
One of the simplest ways to start is by documenting your preferences and expectations. Our free Team Alignment Template is a great starting point—it’s a simple yet effective way to get you and your team on the same page, fast.
Don’t assume your team will just know what you need. Tell them how to make you happy, and I promise you, you’ll end up a lot happier. 🙂
And if you want more support around training your team to better support you, learn more about my Team Empowerment Program here. This program walks your team through building the skills and confidence to take initiative, manage projects, and anticipate your needs.
