Entrepreneurs are notorious for doing a ton of work themselves. They wear a lot of hats and are quick to take on every challenge solo. At some point, though, every entrepreneur needs to pass off some of the work to someone else. Otherwise, there’s no way to grow a business.
Building a team can be intimidating. Entrepreneurs need to think about a lot of things, like their budget, skill gaps, experience needs, and any other pressing business needs.
Most importantly, entrepreneurs need to think about building a team that will stick by them, even when things get a little rocky (which they will). Hiring is an expensive and time-consuming process. It’s essential to look for the right things when building a team to avoid as much turnover as possible.
5 Tips for Ensuring Team Will Stick by You
Here are five things entrepreneurs can do to ensure their teams will stick by them, no matter what.
- Express gratitude
A little gratitude goes a long way, especially in a startup culture where things move at a fast pace. Most people who thrive in startups are willing to put in long hours and try new things. Knowing that their boss sees and appreciates their hard work is motivating and can help employees feel valued and appreciated.
- Take time to listen
Great leaders listen to their team. They don’t just spew out orders. Taking the time to listen includes setting aside one-on-one time, asking questions, and resisting the urge to interrupt. A culture of listening can lead to new ideas and innovative solutions to complex challenges. This is essential for helping employees feel valued.
- Give employees autonomy
Too often, business leaders have a set way of doing things that they expect all of their employees to follow. Great leaders give their employees autonomy to decide how they want to pursue projects and come up with new ways of doing things. Sometimes, these ideas will not work. Other times, employees will end up saving the company time and money by trying a new method or approach. Either way, when employees know they have control over how they do their jobs, they are more likely to want to stick around.
- Provide opportunities
Most startup employees are hungry for opportunities. They are eager to learn and want to expand their skill sets. Give employees opportunities to develop as much as possible. It can be through formal training or through more informal methods, such as letting employees job shadow each other. Encourage creativity and curiosity so employees can grow.
- View failure as opportunities
Everyone is going to fail at some point. Employees who are encouraged to view their failure as an opportunity to improve are more likely to stay loyal than those who fear retribution or embarrassment. Teams should recognise why something did not work so they can learn from the experience and do better in the future.
A reliable team is essential to any startup. By taking the time to develop a culture that values and appreciates employees, entrepreneurs can build a team that will ride the waves of uncertainty and change that come from building a startup.
