Get out and walk the floor

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in running a business is to lock yourself away from your staff.

Get out and talk to them – regularly.

1. They need reassurance that all is well.
2. They need to know that they belong.
3. They need acknowledgement – in that they are contributing and are valued.
4. They need feedback.
5. They like to see that you are getting on well with your other key managers (i.e. that everyone in the family is getting along well).
6. They feel better that you know more about them, and that they can humanise you.
7. They put you on a pedestal and can be afraid to talk to you – talking to them can reduce their irrational fears about you.
8. You can talk directly about their concerns and pick up on how the overall culture of the place is developing.
9. They may have good ideas that were otherwise filtered out by the normal channels.

Get out and walk the floor – it is a good thing.