The Secret to Successful Entrepreneurship: It’s Not About You
Growing up, I worked in our family construction business with my Dad when I wasn’t at school, a grueling yet rewarding job. In those early days, when I was unknowingly learning the principles of running a business, my Dad would continually remind me of this piece of advice that has helped me progress through every stage of my career:
“It’s all about the people,” he would say.
I have my Dad to thank for my present-day attitude of not keeping my eyes fixed on the next paycheck or the present project but on the people surrounding me. The Bible tells us the importance of every member of the Church body. From the head down to the left pinkie toe, each individual serves a purpose, without which, the whole body suffers. So it is in a business. Those in the C-suite cannot properly carry out their duties without every single worker, part-time, full-time, new or seasoned. The reciprocal is true as well. As a leader, I must do my job with excellence or my colleagues will not be able to do theirs.
To be all about the people, I must be aware of them. It’s not enough to simply know the names of my employees, even though some bosses don’t even do that! I need to truly get to know them by asking questions, actively listening and following up. For example, if my colleague tells me he has a little girl who competes in dance competitions, I can show awareness by stopping by his desk simply to ask, “How is your daughter’s dancing coming along? Does she keep you busy with that?”
By getting to know the people working with me in this way, I not only communicate that I care, but I am also learning the tools I need to be able to touch their lives with the power of Christ. If I know which of my employees are struggling emotionally, have a sick loved one or are expecting a new baby, I can pray for them specifically. I like to visit with my colleagues and ask to pray with them about whatever is going on in their lives. While sometimes they are surprised to hear you can pray at work (and I make it clear that if they are uncomfortable with that, I can pray for them later in my office alone), I have never had anyone tell me no. They say yes either to listening to me pray for them or joining me in the process.
In this way, I show awareness for them relationally and spiritually, and I can serve them better as a leader.
Unfortunately, some bosses out there believe that their high status means they are to be served by others. They may cut corners, blame their employees and forget to treat others as humans that they should be serving, not using for their own purposes. But this is totally counter-intuitive. As it turns out, people prefer working with a leader who is aware of them as individuals and what they contribute to the company, and truly cares about them. Imagine that!
I credit my success as an entrepreneur to God and the biblical principles He instilled in me throughout my journey, such as my Dad teaching me that “it’s all about the people.” By keeping this at the forefront throughout my career, I have been tremendously blessed and was given more responsibility because companies and investors saw that I care not only about the business but about the people at all levels of the company. That approach has also led to very high performing teams and creating workplaces that have been recognized as best places to work.
It’s excellent to develop self-awareness and to surround yourself with individuals who will push you toward growth, but before focusing on how to get yourself ahead, invest in and care about others. Within that process, I guarantee you will grow by leaps and bounds as an individual of integrity and excel on whatever path you’re on.
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