I’ve come to understand that businesses, much like individuals, develop distinct identities as they grow and evolve. This realization is akin to witnessing a child entering their teenage years – a period marked by a desire to stretch wings and forge an independent path.
As your business reaches this stage, it begins to seek its own identity. This process requires structure and guidance, much like raising a teenager. Essential elements such as culture, core values, target markets, strategies, and processes act as the foundational rules that allow your business to thrive independently.
However, unlike your children, you have the authority to enforce these rules strictly within your business. This might mean making tough decisions like terminating employees who do not align with your core values or adapting processes that no longer serve your evolving business needs. Such actions are necessary to ensure that your business follows the path you envision.
It’s crucial to “hand the business over to the business” to let it flourish in the long term. Reflect on your current business environment. Do you find that your directives are sometimes ignored? Does your business occasionally seem rebellious? Are there moments when it feels like your words are falling on deaf ears?
If so, consider whether you’ve created an environment conducive to success. Is your business attempting to navigate its path within the structure you’ve provided, or do you need to assert more control to steer it in the right direction? Reflect on these questions and think about whether similar leadership approaches work in other areas of your life.
In the end, fostering an environment where your business can develop its identity, within the framework of clear and consistent rules, will lead to long-term success and growth. Embrace the journey and ensure that your business has the guidance it needs to thrive independently, much like a well-raised teenager finding their way in the world.