Are you trying to attract support?

This week's question from my portal “The Neagle Code: Directions for Life” comes from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous.

Question:

How do I find dependable, reliable people when building a team especially when they don't return calls or show up?

Answer:

Fantastic question!

First, you need to remember that you create your reality. So let's try to pinpoint what's going on here.

I need you to answer a few questions, and it's REALLY important that you take some time with these questions and allow yourself to be honest.

Question #1: Do you really want a team?

Are you willing to give up certain aspects of your business and TRUST that someone else can do them?

The reason I ask this question is because a lot of entrepreneurs say they want a team, and yet, they are afraid of establishing a team and delegating at the same time. They'll say that they want someone to help them, and yet they don't want to give up the reins or simply don't trust others to do what they are asked to do.

Over and over I've heard entrepreneurs say, “If I want it done right, I might as well just do it myself.” That kind of thinking is based in lack, and will never allow you to attract effective team members.

You're really sending mixed messages when your intellect is telling you that a team is needed, but deep down, you're afraid of taking on a team.

Question #2: Do you effectively communicate your expectations to your team?

Believe it or not, team members are not mind readers. If you want something done, you must be able to explain your requirements or vision for the task and give a clear deadline.

Don't forget, communication goes both ways. It's also important for your team members to know that you value their thoughts and opinions as well.

I've seen many teams implode due to lack of communication, and it's really unfortunate (and preventable).

Question #3: Are you getting what you pay for?

When entrepreneurs first begin to think about adding team members, more often than not, they are at a place in their business where they can't really clearly see how they can add a team member and pay them at the same time. They must take a risk in hiring someone to allow for the continued growth of their business.

This is where the problem comes in.

They don't see the new team member as an investment in their company, and they look for the “least expensive help” they can find. They base their hiring on price rather than quality.

Who do you think gets a better return for their money; someone who hires an entry level VA who's not familiar with their business at $25.00 per hour, or someone who hires a VA who's experienced and understands business at $75.00 per hour?

ALWAYS make decisions based on where you want to go rather than where you are right now, or you'll always be stuck right where you are right now.

So, in short, EXPECT to find a team member who identifies with the vision of your company, TRUST them to do the tasks that you effectively communicate to them, and be willing to PAY them for their expertise.

“Just Believe”,®

P.S: The Neagle Code: DIRECTIONS for LIFE is a weekly no-cost program that is open to everyone! Each week, I'll select and personally respond to one question received via the above “The Neagle Code” page that I feel in my heart will help the most people. (You may choose to remain anonymous if you wish, with our full support.) It is my deep, heartfelt intention that ~ in answering your questions ~ I may provide you with the Universal Truths that in committed application, will set you free. Simply submit YOUR burning question at: www.TheNeagleCode.com to participate.

P.P.S.: May I ask you to help me spread the word about this program? Is there someone you care for who is stuck, or struggling, or lost, or unhappy? Because if so, I would very much like to help. No matter their question, no matter their predicament, no matter if they've never heard of me before … if they would like to ask for help via www.TheNeagleCode.com, my Team and I will do our very best to provide that help.

13 comments

  1. In the Corporate world, there are rules and regulations that guide us about the team. We don’t have to hire a team, but the company creates the team for us and we are a part of it. However when we transition to an Entrepreneur (Whose primary reason IS to be his OWN boss) it can be very challenging to making a mindset shift of hiring some one and become responsible for the team. It is like – We come away from something and NOW we have to do that thing, but suiting our CORE self and needs. It can be tough. You Q and A was an eye-opener to me! Thanks David

    • Thanks Lalitha! Always happy to help individuals see what is often missed. Transitioning from the corporate world into that of an entrepreneur can be difficult because as you state the same rules don’t apply. But just remember that you can still be the “boss” without doing every single aspect within the business. You oversee it, definitely, but there are many things that you must let go of to grow. Appreciate the post.

  2. Thank you so much for pointing out that cost is not the most important consideration when considering hiring a VA and that the right VA is indeed an investment in your business.

    • You are welcome Sylvia! Cost never factors into any of my decisions, especially when it comes to the inner workings of my business. I am able to do what I do with an outstanding team, which allows me to focus on my clients and moving them forward. Appreciate the post.

  3. Thank you for this David! I have struggled for years now trying to reconcile the conflict between my intellectual “knowing” that building a team is the only way my business can grow from a one-woman operation into viable successful operation, and my emotional fear of not attracting the right kind of support, of throwing money away, of losing everything I’ve invested in my business so far, and on and on.

    You hit all the salient points in your reply to this question, The real nugget for me is remembering to hire based on where I want to go rather than just what I need help with in this moment. Phew! I’m going to post that on the wall next to my desk where I can see it everyday and make it my mantra from now on.

    • Yes Donya! We never make decision based on where we are at; only on where we expect to be. Hiring is no different., I see so many entrepreneurs who refuse to let go of some of the more simple tasks in their biz because it is an ego-driven safety net. What it does is keeps them from growing their business through personal client contact . Let me know how the mantra continues to work for you and thanks for the post.

  4. Wow, thanks so much for this great advice. This question arrived in my in-box at the perfect moment.

    Yes, I want support and hired someone to help me and made the decision to increase payment for quality service. But things have not going been going well and this person was quite obstinate and kept making excuses why things were not getting done.

    After reading your blog post I realized that I needed to trust and support this person instead of criticizing. I sent the individual an email asking him if he was interested in completing the assigned task, that the decision was his and that I wanted him to convince me of his exceptional skills.

    He called me an hour later and explained exactly what he needed and that if it wasn’t done by the deadline he would give me a refund. A complete turn around from what I was dealing with last week.

    With gratitude,

    Regan

    • Timing is everything, right Regan. You know what you want and you have the person there to help you. Trust is key, along with clear communication of your vision. Often times we want our support systems to be mind readers; which never happens. It’s great that you were able to handle this situation and move forward with the business relationship. if it comes up again you have the experience to handle it, good for you!

  5. I see these same issues with clients who are entrepreneurs and those in corporations transitioning to the next stage in life.

    The idea “If I want it done right, I might as well just do it myself” is mostly due to either the lack of interest to spend the time to train someone so the expert can focus solely on their higher areas of expertise, or on the ego or fear that someone may do it as good or better than they did it themselves. I agree, “That kind of thinking is based in lack, and will never allow you to attract effective team members.”

    One way you can move forward with hiring team members is to document processes as you do the task, create a procedure that a ‘newbie’ can follow, and test these items by giving them to someone unfamiliar with the process, to see where the system needs improvement. That way others can step in when needed, and it gives you confidence that the work will be done correctly.

    • Great advice Tracey! Systems in any business are crucial to maintaining a high level of service, and your thought on documenting each step is perfect for those who struggle with letting go of control. Thanks for the post!

  6. Thank you David, clarity about what we want is a great start. I also must add that trusting your team comes from trusting yourself, especially decisions your make. Hiring someone for the first time is a great test of trusting yourself. Confidence and trust could come gradually.