As entrepreneurs the thing is, we can see talent. The moment it walks in front of us, we know that this person has exactly what we are looking for. The problem with talent is that if the person has it, they inevitably want to use it. There is a fine line between being a person who requires little oversight and being a rogue employee who thinks they know everything.
So how do we balance that talent so we don’t lose our best chance at creating an innovative solution or approach?
Loosen the Reins
I know that it is tedious, but talented people don’t need to have their hand held and the cold hard truth is that they probably don’t follow directions very well. They have a vision and they just want to get it out there. As hard as this may be, I’m going to have to ask you to loosen the reins and let them work. Be specific in terms of outcome, they want to know what you want to see when it is said and done. But once you deliver those directions, don’t micromanage them on how it has to get done. Let them work their magic and watch them fly.
Accept that There is Another Way
I know all business owners are experts and our way is the best way, right? Wrong and believing that is the quickest way to close your doors. The beautiful thing about being a small business is that we can react to changes and trends in real time., with real value to our customers. The talented ones will alert us to new ways of doing old things and before your ego gets bruised, hear them out. They may be on to something.
Trust Your Decision
I know that sometimes it is easier to think ‘maybe this isn’t working out’ but staffing is like a marriage, you get out of it what you put in to it. You have to invest some time and get to know where this person is coming from and what motivates them to work. I would argue that you should do this anyway, but when you have a high flyer don’t let different work styles kill the creativity.
As small business owners we know first hand that there is no right way to do anything and the best businesses have people that will roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Sometimes playing in the mud isn’t fun, but what if that talented person is right? I know you can think of all the things that they can mess up, but what if they are on to something? Can you hear greatness calling?
