Evaluating results by first evaluating skill and will saves time, frustration and heartache. Regardless of the role (employee, boss, business owner, vendor, freelance or self), there will be bumps and marginal performance. Emotions rise quickly when entrepreneurs stake their future success on the results of others.
When performance is poor, instead of going down the emotional path and putting energy into all the reasons results are bad and how important success is to the business, it is time to ask a question:
Is the issue a symptom of skill? Or is it a symptom of will?
Will the employee say, "Boss, I don't know how"?
Or will they say, "Boss, I didn't feel like it"?
If there is a lack of success with marketing, scheduling, cost control, sales maintenance, timeliness, etc.; a decision has to be made about the working relationship.
Do you have a boss who loses their cool, insults the staff and is basically a bully?
Ask: Is their core issue based on skill? Or is is will?
Is the boss stupid and don't realize the impact on success?
Or is the boss just lazy and has no interest in changing?
Often times the answer to the question may not be apparent.
Asking: "Do you know how to ___________?" will help to understand more.
This is not a first time I have mentioned "skill and will". Each day the entrepreneur is challenged by their own ability to "get it done" or becomes frustrated when someone they depend on "fails". This question yields an instant quick evaluation and begins the conversation about what the next step will be.
Moving on to success will happen more quickly if the reason for marginal results can be identified.
If it is skill, people can be taught.
If it is will, people can be warned of the consequences.
Getting angry and throwing a tantrum feels good. When the tantrum is over, a quick analysis of why progress was not made is the next step.
- Be cautious of predators and con artists.
- Be prepared to give warnings to those who are lazy and less willing.
- Be ready put into action: "Knowledge empowers so learn and teach." to improve skill.
- Spend at least an hour a day to sharpen the S.A.W. (Skill And Will)
If the business success puzzle is too difficult, then it may be time to connect with someone who will save you time and money.
