People Build Businesses, Not Products
Summary
- When you grow a business and have more people, you actually focus more on managing those people rather than less.
- As the business grows, you concentrate on guiding the people who build the product and set the strategy.
- Managing people becomes easier as you get better and more efficient at it.
- Yesterday, I dealt with seven issues in 48 hours, but it felt manageable because I've improved at handling these situations.
- Running a business is essentially about the people, not just the product or market.
- Success involves effectively managing and guiding the people who make everything happen.
Video
How To Take Action
Actionable Steps for Implementing Lessons
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Focus on People First:
I'd suggest recognizing that as your business grows, your primary role will shift to managing and guiding people. Spend time building relationships with your team. Know their strengths, weaknesses, and what motivates them. -
Improve Communication Skills:
A good way of making management easier is to improve your communication skills. Learn to have clear and concise conversations. This reduces misunderstandings and resolves issues faster. Practicing this in your everyday interactions can be a low-cost, high-value activity. -
Efficient Problem-Solving:
Start handling multiple issues more efficiently by listing them out and tackling the most pressing ones first. Yesterday, I dealt with seven issues in 48 hours because I have developed a system. This can be done by anyone through practice and learning effective prioritization.
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Continuous Learning:
I'd recommend always be learning how to manage people better. Read books, listen to podcasts, or take short online courses focused on leadership and management. This continuous improvement will make guiding your team much easier over time. -
Delegate and Trust:
Trust your team with responsibilities. Delegate tasks based on their capabilities, which helps in grooming future leaders within your business. This also frees your time for more strategic decision-making. -
Build a Strong Company Culture:
Foster a positive work environment. This means promoting values that align with your business goals and creating a space where people feel valued. When employees are happy, they are more productive and engaged.
- Regular Feedback:
Giving and receiving feedback regularly can help you and your team grow. Constructive feedback helps everyone improve and stay aligned with the business goals. Make this a routine part of your weekly meetings.
By focusing on these low-cost, high-impact steps, you can make managing people easier and more effective, leading to a successful business.
Full Transcript
there's this illusion that when you have more people you don't have to deal with people and I've actually just found it to be the opposite when you get more people you are now not even focused on the product you're not focused on the business you're focused on the people because they build the product they build the business they set the strategy you're guiding them as you get bigger you don't do less of it you get better at it and so it becomes easier to do I was talking to somebody yesterday who brought up having a couple people things pop up over the last week and then I thought to myself and I counted how many things I've dealt with just in like 48 hours and it was 7 but it's just that I've gotten better at it I'm more efficient at it I know how to have those conversations they make me less nervous and so I think it's you know I'll say it time and time again but it's like if you get into business you're getting into the people business not just the business of the product that you sell or the market that you sell to but what sits all above that to make sure that happens is the people that you bring it
