Many different people decide to start a business. When the business is small, the drive and skills of the founder get the business going. Then the business becomes more successful and the owner now needs to bring on an employee. With more success come more employees.
Here is where many business owners hit a wall. Why? The business now needs a leader.
Most technically savvy people have never had to develop leadership skills. Self-motivation and being good at what they do was enough.
But a growing business depends on the business owner getting the most from people who usually don’t have his drive and/or skills. The only way to do this is for the owner to focus on learning what it means to be a better leader and then putting those skills into practice.
In my work on remodeling myself into a more effective leader, I did a lot of reading. Some of the books I read (and continue to refer to in my consulting work with remodeling contractors) include:
- The E Myth, by Michael Gerber
- On Becoming a Leader, by Warren Bennis
- Good to Great, by Jim Collins
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
- Mastering the Business of Design-Build Remodeling, by Linda Case
- Small Giants, by Bo Burlingham
Start the great work now. Share what you are reading with your staff. Try making small changes to your leadership style.
Watch the productivity of your people improve. And notice how much more fun it is for you to come to work! —Paul Winans, a veteran remodeler, is a facilitator for Remodelers Advantage and a consultant to remodeling business owners.