What follows is the third part of a five-part series; if you haven’t read those that precede this part, you can go to the beginning here.
Know Your Team
Some “old sayings” are so confusing. For example, why would I even want cake if I couldn’t eat it too? Or how about this one – there may be a lot of ways to skin a cat . . . but I’m not interested in any of them – thank you anyway.
Then there is this one – treat your guests like family and your family like guests. What? Well, the thing is, if you listen to that saying and try to put it into practice, not only are your family and guests going to be confused, but so are you.
Let’s put that one to rest. If you haven’t noticed, countless construction companies tout their ability to treat their employees like family.
Set yourself apart. Be a trendsetter. Rather than treating your employees like family, try treating them like valued guests. After all, you’re the one who invited them to the respite of your place, where the party takes place. I mean, you hired them, right? So . . .
Be a Dream Host
Be a dream host, that is, be a dream leader.
Dream hosts (and dream leaders) use the following list to make their parties (their construction companies) desirable, valuable, and memorable. Something people talk about with friends, family, and others.
Focus on giving attention, not getting attention.
Give a tour to show where everything is.
Spend some time picturing guests’ lives – what do they need?
Keep the conversation flowing. (Communication, communication, communication!)
Don’t make a fuss if something gets broken.
Make sure everyone is comfortable.
Spend time with individuals – each of them.
Defuse any awkwardness or questionable things said by others.
Get the right people together to encourage and aid one another.
Start on time.
Accept help – If they offer to bring a salad (or a better way of doing something,) then let them.
Remove the buzz kills from your guest list – yeah, don’t invite them.
Have Fun!
Give Them What They Love
One more item belongs on the list, but I decided to give it more attention because it needs more explanation.
It is, give them what they love. For example, if an employee has a professional desire to advance in your company, give them classes, take them under your wing, and tell them what it takes to move forward.
Or, if a member of your team has a personal desire to climb Mount Everest, you may not be able to finance that trip, but you can acknowledge that desire by awarding an achievement with a rock wall experience or even a pair of climbing gloves.
This is Why
A lengthy report titled 2023 Construction Economic Forecast and presented by CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in January addresses many issues presently faced by contractors. In it, Associated General Contractors (AGC) economist Ken Simonson says, “Contractors can expect the labor situation to continue far longer than materials costs or supply issues.”
Perspective. As is often the case, the people, the relationship, the communication, and the connecting factors take center stage when determining how to move forward. And it must come from a place of genuineness. Be respectful, be honest, be inspirational, and know what sparks individual team members. In short, build trust.
Questions to Ask Building trust begins with having personal conversations with each employee. Lori Li at TINYpulse wrote 33 Trust-Building Questions to Ask in the Workplace. You can use it as a guide to developing questions most suited to your guests.
Leading Means Understanding
When you can understand and support your staff, crew, employees, guests – call them what you wish – it allows you to work toward greater prosperity in a more enjoyable and purposeful manner. And it gives you more momentum for doing so.
Reflection: What can you do today to put the Know Your Team strategy to work?
Ambitious Construction Contractors look to The Profit Constructors to provide advocacy in dealing with:
Clients and customers
Employees and subcontractors
Vendors and service providers
Governmental entities
Working with The Profit Constructors gives Construction Contractors the means to organize their operations in ways that help them:
Remain informed
Avoid hassles
Reduce risks
Be future-ready
Ready for action? Or want to know more? Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary discovery call. 866-629-7735
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