For me, there are only two types of employees: Those who are assets and those who are liabilities. Wonder which one you are? Take this simple test:
When asked to do something, do you say “yes, then maybe, then no” or do you respond with “no, then maybe and then yes” (reluctantly)?
If you are predisposed to the first response, you’re a company’s greatest asset and if you’re the second, I hope your CV is current because I would fire you and suggest your boss fires you.
I see it all the time, small businesses with employees who are liabilities and obstacles to growth.
Employers, think about your staff – which category do they fall into?
You need to have the courage to get rid of the bad apples ASAP.
Otherwise stop beating yourself up if you’re working harder than ever, making less…
With no, maybe, yes staff, you’re dead in the water.
There simply is no room in today’s competitive environment to survive with a no-can-do attitude.
It’s like a cancer that kills you one response at a time.
Sorry to be blunt, but y’know what? Someone’s got to tell you.
Want to try to change someone from a liability to an asset – give it your best shot and then post a comment on this blog – I’d love to hear about it because it’ll be a FIRST in my 20+ years of coaching, consulting and advising.
This is a great post that really resonates with me. Perhaps you could be accused of over simplifying human behaviors, which are obviously complex – but that doesn’t make you any less correct. People inherently have a “I’ll give it a go” attitude, or they have a “Oh no, that can’t be done” attitude. Is it possible to change a liability to an asset? Of course it is – you just need to figure out if it’s worth your time, and most cases, it isn’t. The only exception that I can think of is sometimes you have good staff who are going through some tough times in their personal lives, and become negative for a while. With a bit of luck, they’ll pull through and resume their previous productive status.
Shane,
I totally agree that compassion and understand are a must when you have employees, suppliers and clients. Everyone has ups and downs, that is part of the cycle of life. BUT… People are predisposed to be one of the two profiles.
I acknowledge there are nuances involved, BUT once again, if you’re honest with yourself, YOU KNOW what I’m talking about and YOU KNOW your staff’s predispositions..
BUT what you do or don’t do about it is the point of this blog post.
Over the past 20 years, I have had friends, colleagues and clients who grapple with fundamental issues like this one and are the VICTIMS of either their ignorance (not knowing) or lack of courage to resolve/solve the problem.
Being an entrepreneur, “the boss” comes with responsibility – to make the decisions that are necessary. Of course I always advocate to give employees the benefit of the doubt and ALL the chances possible before termination.
You never, ever want to second guess such an important decision. You want to be 100% sure that it was required and the only solution left.
The courage to do it is easier said than done because often these are people you care about.
The choice between your corporate destiny (goals) and personal affiliations (friendship) is never an easy decision.
That’s why the top of the pyramid is thinner than the bottom. Fewer people have the courage needed to ascend to the top.
Onward and upward!
Marc
I couldn’t agree more. I am definitely the first person you described. I am always driven by the challenge which in turn makes me try it first before saying that I can’t. Most of the time though, I get passed through it. All because I worked hard. But if I can’t do it, I’d give it a last push before really giving up. It’s not always easy but today’s technology is making it possible.