Is there something crucial to the success of your organization that you are personally putting off doing? Are you tempted to pass this responsibility off to someone else? If so, you are trying to hire someone to babysit your french fries.
@ renamarie | DepositPhotos.com
Michael Hyatt recounts an interesting story in his book, Platform, about taking personal responsibility for the critical things in the life of your business or organization.
The story originated from Yolanda Allen, a marketing entrepreneur. Allen’s daughter was making herself some french fries and wanted to leave the kitchen in the middle of cooking. However, she made it clear that no one could help themselves to her food. Allen recounts the story:
“So she asked me to let her know if anyone started to eat her fries, which were cooking, because she had to go do something. I was in the middle of listening to a webinar and taking notes.
Now I must tell you that one of the reasons I retired from the Air Force is that I wanted to be available for my children. But my daughter thinks that I’m at her beck and call ALL THE TIME.
I had had a very busy day which was full of interruptions already, so I was a “little bit” annoyed when she asked me to watch her fries. I replied, probably with a look of disgust, with “Makaila, I’m NOT babysitting your french fries.” You should have seen the look on her face. She was speechless, and Makaila loves to talk . . . too much.” (From Platform)
Allen followed up her story with a question about personal responsibility. “Are you taking responsibility for running your business. . .or are you asking someone to babysit your business.”
As I read this story in Platform, I thought of a few areas that tempt many leaders to hire babysitters.
1. Your Brand’s Message
It might sound ironic for me to address this area first as we are a public relations firm, but it is imperative for leaders to take responsibility for the message they are conveying to the public. A PR firm can help you hone and communicate that message, but the heart of the message must come from your vision, your passion, and your life.
The most successful messages are the ones that are lived out through the lives of the team behind them. It is your responsibility to implement that message throughout your organization and make sure that it aligns with your core values and goals.
2. Your Finances
Depending on your organizational needs, you can hire accountants and bookkeepers, but at the end of the day, the leader is responsible for staying abreast of the financial status of his organization. We’ve all heard countless stories of organizations that have folded, and the CEOs appear totally clueless about how they ended up in bankruptcy.
I love what Proverbs 27:23-24 has to say about a wise leader’s financial oversight:
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?”
3. Your Team
You won’t get very far as a leader if you don’t keep a close pulse on the health of your team. Are they overwhelmed? Are they discouraged? Is their job something they enjoy doing, or just a paycheck?
Find out what motivates your team. Learn what they are passionate about. Brainstorm ways to implement their passions into your organization. You’ll not only have a healthier team at the end of the day, but you will also deliver a better product.
Taking responsibility for these three areas will require more of your time. But it will be worth it in the long run as you grow as a leader.
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So many times, I’ve seen company leaders who are good at managing projects, but not so good at managing people. Sometimes they pass that responsibility off on someone else, and sometimes they turn a blind eye to it because they simply don’t have the right skill set to handle conflict. The ripple effect can certainly have a negative impact on the brand, and the bottom line, not to mention company morale. I suppose it depends on the size/type of company (B2B/B2C), and what products/services they offer, but it might be worth it for companies to hire an outside (and unbiased!) PR firm to help manage messaging, and ultimately…how to make great french fries!
BTW, any restaurant that doesn’t have french fries on their menu is making a HUGE mistake, in my opinion, lol.
Good point, Paula. Delegation is crucial, but some things, especially management, don’t always succeed with delegation.
I’m with you on the restaurants that don’t serve french fries! Thanks for the comment!