Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1533631
Never waste a perfectly good mistake. Most leaders look at mistakes as something to be avoided, and as a result, they pass that sentiment down to their employees. But the most innovative, agile companies embrace mistakes. When you move from a culture that punishes mistakes to one that embraces them, your employees will have the freedom to take risks, and that's where entrepreneurial thinking leads to great innovation. When an employee makes a mistake, you want a culture that encourages him or her to learn from the mistake and change what led to it rather than a culture that encourages him to fear punishment and sweep that mistake under the rug. You want an environment where employees can acknowledge mistakes, take responsi- bility for them, learn from them, and then move forward. Always ask yourself, "How would I like it?" Relationships have never been more important. A great way to ensure everyone at your company is committed to building strong relation- ships is to constantly ask, "How would I like it?" otherwise known as the Golden Rule for business professionals. Houlihan recommends that you regularly ask yourself the following questions and answer honestly—even if it's uncomfortable: • Would I want to work for an employer who treated my labor as a commodity, trying to see how little I would work for? Or would I prefer an employer who sees people as assets, rewarding them for performance and acknowledging their achievements? • As a leader, am I open and honest with employees about where the company stands, what challenges we're facing, and what I want? • If I were a vendor and had two clients, one who treated me with respect and dignity, and another who viewed me as a necessary evil (and maybe even thought I was a huckster or trickster), which one would get preferential treatment? With which would I share what I know about their competition? • Would I buy from a company that treated me like a pain in the neck if I had a problem with their product, or would I prefer to buy from a com- pany that thanked me for bringing my concerns to their attention? Say "Thank you." Making gratitude part of your culture plays an essential role in creating employees who feel empow- ered and engaged. In truth, you should be saying thank you to everyone you come into contact with through your company. Everyone, from employees to colleagues to vendors, will respond positively when you say—or better yet, demonstrate— your thanks. "But let's take a moment to focus on a type of thanks that can really make or break your business," says Harvey, "the gratitude you express to or withhold from your employees. When your employees work hard on your company's behalf, they deserve your thanks and appreciation. Don't take them for granted." "Despite the chaos and uncertainty, this is a time of extreme opportunity for companies that recognize the value of entrepreneurial thinking," says Houlihan. "It is by far one of the greatest competi- tive advantages for companies today, and not just at the top of organizations, but at every level, from the bottom up. When you get your employees to think like owners, it will solve the biggest problem in business right now: lack of engage- ment. Once they see the difference they can make, everything will change. They'll be excited to be part of the process." J Employees Owners D O YOU R T H I N K L I K E When you get your employees to think like owners, it will solve the biggest problem in business right now: lack of engagement. 40 / MARCH.APRIL.2025 USICERINKS.COM