If you’re a business owner or manager you have probably at one time or another wished for the ability to clone yourself. “If I could just have 10 more of me,” you think, “this business would grow like crazy.”
Once employees are trained (also an important task, but not very difficult) it’s critical to keep them motivated to run the business with the same level of attention and energy that you do. A few well-trained employees who treat your business like their own are an army capable of building something great.
So how do you motivate an employee? Money only works for so long, and fear quickly backfires.
Instead, invest in them.
Take the time to find out what makes them tick. Ask them what they need to get better at their jobs and give it to them. Support them, nurture them, help them become better at their jobs and at life.
If you take an interest in people and help them grow, not only will they be more valuable to your business, but they will adopt your vision as their own and work their asses off for you.
Better yet, investing in people makes you a better person and your little corner of the world a better place.
Sappy? Yeah, a bit.
Truth? Absofreakinlutely.
too bad more employers don’t take this advice.