In my experience working with founders in the past, more often than not, the overall health of any organization largely reflects how the founder/s is/are. It’s a no brainer, as they are the one’s who care most about their own company but also the one’s who may be overstretched, immensely focused and greatly enthusiastic about what they want to create. At the same time, they may be on an overdrive for too long. So this is the flip- side. How this reflects with the hierarchy’s downward is that they may also start feeling the ‘pressure to perform’ or ‘stay consistent’ or the usual ‘do better’. However, how soon is too soon? All of us are currently benefitting from an economy that is boasting from a volume game. And while customers are looking for an experience or value more than cost, here is why your employee may feel drained too-
Structures-If the structures within the organization do not support a robust machinery on the outside, things may seem to weaken at points of high strike. Think of the Gym crazed protein shake driven health freak, who may think muscles will mean he is ‘FIT’. It’s quite the contrary, only once your ‘core’ is strong can you even think of muscles. I’m talking about the nervous system, circulatory system, skeletal system and mental health to ensure a balance of everything else. Only and only then, can you think of muscles and afford to allow the wear and tear.
In people perspective it means a culture that promotes not just psychological safety but also facilitates a space where people can be people can hence achieve what the desired goals are. Not everyone is a genius to thrive just about anywhere- unless there’s some personal discipline. For the unprepared, an environment that supports is imperative, views, lives and needs.
Process- Devil is in the Details. A robust system can allow processes, which are not rigid but agile. A process that is standardized yet agile, multifarious to fit the growing uncertainties of our times and digest a problem into productivity that refuels the system in return. Refine and re-refine. Of course, as a business owner you know your business. But one of the most most important aspects of ‘running’ the business are people who are supported with robust structures and refined processes.
Think about this- muscles work better on an internal system that supports them.