Frustrated With Your Cleaning Business? 8 Signs the Cause Is Bad Leadership--Part I
As a cleaning business owner, you know this scenario very well. You are doing a work you enjoy and are able to have the freedom and independence that owning your own business allows. But trying to live the American Dream is not always easy. At times we may even wonder why we're putting forth the effort. This is especially true when we experience difficult situations in our business.
Cleaning Business Owners—Feel Like Pulling Your Hair Out?
Every business owner experiences difficulties during their career, even cleaning business owners. When this happens, you've likely tried to pinpoint the cause so you can take decisive action and remedy the problem. The cause for such problems can range from hiring the wrong employees, to difficult customers, to financial ups and downs.
What, though, if the problem never seems to go away? No matter what you do there always seems to be some tension within your commercial cleaning business. If you've put forth the effort to change things around you, it might be time to take a look inwardly. Difficulties within your business might be a sign that you're not the leader you need to be.
8 Signs the Cause of Your Frustration is Bad Leadership
So, how do you know when the problem lies with your leadership abilities and not with everyone or everything else around you? Here are 8 signs that your frustration might be caused by bad leadership.
1. No One Communicates. For any relationship to work properly, including the one between a cleaning business owner and his or her employees, good communication is vital. Without regular, open communication, frustrations and misunderstandings arise.
It is especially important for you, as the owner, to set the example. Instead of sitting in your office doling out tasks, make it a point to visit your employees where they work and let them know how important their work is to the success of the company. Share your expertise and listen to their feedback. Not only will your employees follow your lead and communicate more effectively, they will do better work because they know exactly what you expect of them.
2. Everyone Has a Bad Attitude or Issue With You. At first glance, a bad attitude from an employee may seem like their problem. But if you're getting a bad attitude from most, if not all, of your employees, it could be that there is some resentment or frustration with you. Perhaps your employees don't feel like they're being treated fairly, or that their ideas (some of which could actually be good for your cleaning business) are being cast aside.
3. Your Really Good Employees Aren't Thriving or They Seem to Give Up. One of the happiest moments a cleaning business owner enjoys is when they hire a top notch employee. You know the one: the employee that makes their job a priority, shows up on time, is willing to do whatever job is asked of them, and who puts a lot of effort into their work.
It is therefore highly upsetting when you notice that they aren't doing as well as they used to. There is usually something behind why they aren't thriving like they once did. They could be dealing with some personal issues, or they could be tired of putting up with the bad attitudes of other employees. If you're constantly praising employees that don't put in a lot of effort, the more competent employee may wonder why they're trying so hard to please you.
4. Customer Satisfaction Has Decreased. The attitudes and actions of your customers can tell you a lot about your business. If you notice a change in customer behavior, it's time to take notice. Why are your customers dissatisfied? Are they truly valued? Are they still receiving the care and consideration that they did when they first hired your company? Find out why your customers aren't happy. After all, as Mike Myatt of Forbes.com puts it—if you aren't taking care of your customers, someone else will be more than happy to do that for you.
A Thriving Commercial Cleaning Business Depends on the Leadership Skills of Its Owner
We've discussed four identifying marks of a business owner who needs to work on his or her leadership skills. It is easy to see how a business could suffer if its leader displayed these qualities. If you've noticed any of these issues within your business, don't get too discouraged. You can overcome these issues!
In Part 2, we will discuss four additional ways that a cleaning business owner's level of leadership can contribute to the good or the bad of the business. In addition, we will show you some ways you can improve your leadership skills and allow your business and your employees to thrive.
Download the Roadmap to Hiring Success
It is time to fine-tune your hiring process? Your hiring process includes getting the "Legal Stuff" set up correctly, writing job descriptions, setting up your pay scale, writing your ads, recruiting candidates, interviewing and asking the right questions, onboarding and training
Make it easy on yourself and use the roadmap to plan you hiring process today!
Visit our Store for Certification Training Programs
