When I first started my fire protection maintenance business I was the centre of the business, if the service technicians had a problem they called me, if my bookkeeper had a problem she called me, if a customer had a problem they called me – everyone called me 24 hours 7 days a week.
And then I read a book and realised that I was the problem, I had unconsciously trained everyone to call me when they had a problem and it was killing me and constraining my business. (To be honest I did like the feeling of being important, and the adrenaline rush of jumping from problem to problem being the hero was also a little addictive).
Fast forward 5 years, I now spend less than 2 hours every day checking in with the team, not as a problem solver but as a coach. On some days I don’t have to interfere with anything that my team are doing.
The main shift has been how I have engaged with them, I no longer solve their problem, I coach them to solve the problem themselves, support them in solving the problem and am supportive when they make mistakes (if they are learning from them).
I have analysed what I did and put it into a system that anyone can use, which I call the Redirect Staff Management System - the system is so simple that when I tell you there is a good chance you will dismiss it as being to simple that it won’t work – but everyone who has used it has found it the one most successful strategy for building and independent and productive team.
If you would like some help with your team email the word “redirect” and we will send you “The Redirect Staff Management System” training we use with our clients.
And then I read a book and realised that I was the problem, I had unconsciously trained everyone to call me when they had a problem and it was killing me and constraining my business. (To be honest I did like the feeling of being important, and the adrenaline rush of jumping from problem to problem being the hero was also a little addictive).
Fast forward 5 years, I now spend less than 2 hours every day checking in with the team, not as a problem solver but as a coach. On some days I don’t have to interfere with anything that my team are doing.
The main shift has been how I have engaged with them, I no longer solve their problem, I coach them to solve the problem themselves, support them in solving the problem and am supportive when they make mistakes (if they are learning from them).
I have analysed what I did and put it into a system that anyone can use, which I call the Redirect Staff Management System - the system is so simple that when I tell you there is a good chance you will dismiss it as being to simple that it won’t work – but everyone who has used it has found it the one most successful strategy for building and independent and productive team.
If you would like some help with your team email the word “redirect” and we will send you “The Redirect Staff Management System” training we use with our clients.
