When You Look Good, I Look Good!

There's an ad I remember from my childhood that couldn't be more 1980s if it tried. Soft lighting, jazzy saxophone, shoulder pads, big hair... it had it all! Only somehow better. It was like the hip version of a Dallas or Dynasty episode. Its tagline was, “If you don't look good, we don't look good.” Ever heard that? It was for Vidal Sassoon shampoo, conditioner and everything needed to make your hair bigger. I assume they sold boatloads of hairspray because that Dallas-inspired hair didn't stand up all by itself. You can find some of these vintage gems on YouTube. They're still classics. So why am I talking about '80s hair commercials? Because that's what came to mind when I started contemplating my topic for this week's blog, which is how to empower your staff. The connection is obvious, right?

It wasn't exactly the hair products that I thought of — although now I'm flashing back to the smell of the conditioner and how I thought it made my hair so amazing. It was the tagline that came to mind: If you don't look good, we don't look good. If you tweak that phrase, you could also say "When you look good, I look good," which seems like a philosophy that every boss, manager or business owner should have when it comes to their staff. Things your staff does well reflect on your business, which ultimately make you look good if you're the person in charge. Seems pretty basic right? You work for me, you do a good job, you make me look, you look good. Everyone's happy.

To Empower Your Staff, You Gotta Hand Over Some Of Your Power!

This philosophy of good reflecting upward is central to running a business that's more than a one-woman (or -man) show. But in order for your employees to be able to make you look good in the first place, you've got to let them do the job you hired them to do. In other words, let it go!

• Trust them, dammit! Empower your staff to make decisions on their own — you hired them, you should trust their judgment. Give them the freedom to exercise it.
• Don't be that boss! Allow them to proceed without getting permission or approval for everything. OMG can you imagine how annoying it would be to have one of those bosses?!! Don't be one of those bosses!!
• Think macro, not micro! Trust your staff to resolve problems themselves. You can't do everything yourself, nor should you have to. That's why you pay people. So give the competent people you hired enough direction on what you want, then let them take it from there. By all means have them check in with you, but you don't need to micromanage.
• Inclusion, not exclusion! Encourage involvement that will give valuable experience. The more an employee learns on the job, the better they'll be at that job, so let them broaden their horizons so to speak. The more they understand about their job, the industry, the company as a whole, the relationships involved — you name it — the more they'll have to contribute.
• You're the boss, don't hog the spotlight! Did someone do something well? Then tell them! And tell other people, too. No need to keep someone's good work a secret — or pretend that it was all you! People need to hear that their work is valued and appreciated. So if it is, make sure they know.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

So remember, if you look good, I look good. If you're ever doing an '80s Halloween costume, you probably need more hairspray. And to empower your staff, you've got to let go a little.

Once you empower your staff, you might want to move on to improving your pricing. In case you're looking for something to help with pricing, keep more money in your pocket and take your business to the next level, we've got it right here! And it's FREE!

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Empower Your Staff – Tip #1:

Love this? Pin it to your Motivation Board.

"If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore." – Michele Ruiz

Empower Your Staff – Tip #2:

Love this? Pin it to your Quotes Board.

"Don’t you dare underestimate the power of your own instinct." – Barbara Corcoran

Empower Your Staff – Tip #3:

Love this? Pin it to your Motivation Board.

"The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it." – Roseanne Barr

Empower Your Staff – Tip #4:

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"Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are." – Lady Gaga

Empower Your Staff – Tip #5:

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"Stop telling yourself you don’t know what to do. Yes, you do. Listen to your intuition and trust yourself." – Katherine Sullivan

Let's talk! I'd love to hear about the ways you empower your staff!

Would you describe yourself as a macro or micromanager? Do you empower your staff to do their job? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh by the way, in case you're looking for something to help with time management, we've got this fun little quiz to test your productivity. Are you a Vodka & Red Bull? A Dirty Dirty? Or a plucky Blue Sapphire? Find out which cocktail you are by taking our quiz right now!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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