Are you sitting comfortably?

Welcome to my series of podcasts that will help you navigate some of the difficulties you might come up against when you’re a business owner. Today, I want to talk about what to do when your business feels chaotic. 

Does your business ever feel chaotic? Does your dream of a harmonious working environment and having an engaged and energised team who you can trust to get on with things get dashed by what seems like constant issues with performance, attendance, engagement, and conflict? 

When all you want to do is get on with the business of running your business and doing what you love, the first and most important thing you need is motivated team members who know exactly what they’re doing, who are capable of keeping things running smoothly when you aren’t there, and who actually want to be there, working hard for your business. 

The problem is, you don’t have this at the moment. You have disengaged employees. When employees are disengaged, this is bad for business, and it’s bad for you.

Disengagement can affect your profits because employees who have become disengaged take more sickness absences, they’re less productive, and they don’t tend to stick around for long.

It can also have an impact on your work-life balance and stress levels. It’s not likely that you’ll feel comfortable taking time off because you won’t trust disengaged employees to get the job done, and when you feel like the weight of what they aren’t doing is on your shoulders, you’ll feel stressed and frustrated. 

Look at your team.

Are they disengaged?

If they are, you’ll be able to spot these signs:

Firstly, there’s a definite lack of enthusiasm. Not everyone feels enthusiastic every day, but you can see an apathy in them that’s about far more than just having an off day. 

Next, they’ll complain constantly about work, about their colleagues, about you, and it will seem as though all is wrong with their world. 

As well as being negative, the classic thing you’ll hear a disengaged employee say is ‘it’s not my job.’ This is a sure sign that they’ve lost interest in what they’re doing and no longer want to be part of the team. 

Rather than using their initiative and going above and beyond, a disengaged employee will need you to tell them what to do, and they’ll have no interest in learning new things or growing within their role. 

The problem with disengagement is that a few disengaged team members can affect the productivity and morale of the whole team. Have you noticed that sickness absence has increased? Or that productivity and performance has dropped? These are signs that you might have a serious disengagement problem on your hands. 

This is definitely not what you signed up for when you started your own business. Did you ever think that having employees was going to be so hard? 

If your team has become disengaged, it might help you to understand why this might have happened. 

Sometimes, people become disengaged because they don’t see how their role contributes to the business and the bigger picture. If they can’t see how they contribute, then they aren’t likely to be very motivated and enthusiastic. 

Another reason for disengagement is when employees feel there is no scope for advancement within the business. Most employees want to be challenged and want to develop new skills, but if things feel stagnant, they won’t be enthusiastic and they might start looking for other opportunities. 

Do you allow employees to contribute ideas and make them feel valued? If you don’t they’ll feel that they aren’t listened to and their opinions don’t count, and this is a recipe for disengagement. 

Finally, a very common reason for a lack of engagement at work is stress. The world of work is a stressful place to be these days. A lack of job security, heavy workloads, a lack of work-life balance, and personal problems are all stressors that might affect an employee’s productivity and motivation at work. 

Let’s look at the practical steps you can take to turn things around. 

The first thing to ensure is that you communicate openly and honestly with your team. Make time to talk to them and, more importantly, listen. This will build trust and make people feel listened to, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting them back on side. 

Next, always recognise and reward a job well done. Even if it’s to say a simple ‘thank you,’ this goes a long way to making people feel more motivated to work hard for you. Don’t be the boss that people only hear from when something has gone wrong. 

Encouraging learning and development is another important thing you can do to improve engagement. Work with employees to identify opportunities for growth, and don’t be afraid to give them responsibilities that take them out of their comfort zone (as long as you’re not just giving them work that you don’t want to do.). If you can pass tasks on to trusted and motivated employees, this gives you some hope that you’ll be able to take time off without worrying about whether things are going to get done. 

Having the support of a motivated and engaged team who you can trust to get on with things so you can do what you love without the hassle while having a life is the dream. 

But does that dream seem pretty far off right now? 

It doesn’t have to be. I can help. 

My tailored packages and bitesize workshops can help you and your team feel more supported, confident, and energised about the future of the business. 

I work with you and your team, identifying needs and sharing bite-size training, both virtually and on-site.

I engage your team through workshops and 1-2-1s to skill and develop both the team and individuals, and I use team-building activities to build a bond.

I use strengths-based bite-size training and performance management to help your team recognise what’s needed for the business to flourish.

Imagine how life will be once you’ve had my help. 

Relationships will flourish in the workplace. Employees will want to stay, which will reduce your recruitment and training costs, and your team will be more productive and willing to go the extra mile for your business. 

Your new high-performing team will be more adaptable and proactive, so you’ll be confident that you’re leaving your business in safe hands when you aren’t there. 

Imagine everything running smoothly so that you can go on holiday and relax. Imagine everything running like clockwork and employees supporting each other. Imagine people sharing ideas and feedback and working together to make a difference. 

That is the kind of workplace your employees want to work in, and it’s the kind of workplace where you can just come in and do what you love. That is the dream, and I can help you make it a reality. 

Why choose me?

I have empathy. I’ve spent 30 years managing and leading a team in a work environment and I understand the daily dilemmas managers have to face. I know how life can impact upon work and I understand what kind of support you and your team needs. 

I also have the expertise you need. I have a Level 7 Professional Consultant diploma from the Chartered Institute of Management, a Level 5 CMI Management and Leadership qualification, and over 30 years of experience in Management and Leadership Project Management. 

I am perfectly placed to implement the tools and processes that will help your business flourish and ensure that your future, as well as your present, is a lot happier and more comfortable. I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way, and one of the most important is that no problem is insurmountable when you have the right help and support. 

Book a call to find out exactly how I can help you.