One Key To A Successful Business: Patience
In business or in life we can never have enough patience.
As a business owner your patience will not only be tested on a daily basis but at times even an hourly basis. How you respond could be the difference as to whether your business can survive, especially in this economy. Remember, you are the leader and no matter what you say, your people will mimic your actions. If you are impatient with your customers or your employees, then when you're not around……… Yep.
If you plan on starting a business or have just started a business, you better learn to have patience
We have all heard the saying that the customer is always right, the problem is the customer has heard that saying to and is convinced they're always right. When you do something that the customer doesn't like, whether you think it's right or not, get ready to hear about it, this is where your patience has to kick in.
There have been times in the past where my customers have been angry at me for this and that and have come up to tell me about it. When I first started out in business, I would argue with them and as a result, lost a few customers, after a while I learned the best thing to do is to shut up and listen.
The customer is convinced that they are right, so you have to let them say everything they want to say without any interruption from you, once they're done you can then respond rationally, with a clear head. Now if they are cussing you out that's a different story, I would just walk away and not do business with them, life is too short to deal with that. If they are just angry and airing their concerns, then hear what they are and deal with them or explain why you can't or won't.
You will also need tremendous patience dealing with your employees or contractors. You know exactly how you want things done but people generally won't do things exactly how you want them done, be ready for this. The best way to develop patience is to realize that people do things differently and as long as they do what you want them to do, them not doing it exactly like you, doesn't really matter.
Your goal as a leader/owner is to teach and train, it's not to micro manage. When you're constantly looking over your people's shoulder, you kill moral, you show them that you have no confidence in them and you show a lack of patience. Teach them to do what you want them to do, hire a good manager or managers to be there for guidance and correction, you have more important things to do with your time. You're the idea person, you should spend your time figuring out how to take the business to the next level, not worrying whether an employee has taken too long on their break.
Some people might learn slower than others, you have to be patient, they could be the best employees you ever had once you get them trained, you could also miss out if you have a lack of patience.
If you have struggled with patience it's time for a wake up call
So you're reading this and you realize you haven't had patience, good, admitting it is the first step. You might read this and are a little skeptical, think about it and give it a shot, it really can't hurt you to back off a little bit.
Determine in your mind and pray for strength to have more patience in every area of your business. If your customers think of you as a little bit of a hot head, then show them a side of you they have never seen. When there is a concern, listen and respond with thought and in a way that satisfies the customer and a result you can live with. You may not be able to do this every time but the times that you can will build life long customers.
If your employees are used to your outburst or used to you not being patient with them, then it's time to show them the new, more patient you. Call a meeting and apologize, your people should see that as a leader you're willing to take responsibility and admit when you're wrong, it sets a good example. Once you apologize you're making yourself accountable, so you better say what you mean and do what you say.
A few tips for impatience
When you feel your blood starting to boil the best thing you can do is politely excuse yourself and walk it off, just get away from the immediate situation. Give yourself enough time to cool off and come back when your body heat is back down to human levels.
Listen to music. With the technology we have, you should be able to listen to music on your phone, otherwise bring a little iPod or MP3 device with you. Walking away and throwing on some soothing music can really help you cool down and as you go throughout the day, hear that song in your head when you fell that impatience coming back.
Prayer, Prayer, Prayer what better way to have strength and patience then to get it from the Author of strength and patience? Need I say more?
Do you struggle with patience?
