Business Education

You Don’t have to Meet a Politician to Find a Hypocrite — Your Mirror Might just Reflect One

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just moved into a luxury apartment in Washington D.C. It doesn’t contain one affordable housing unit. In fact, the complex doesn’t even comply with D.C.’s Affordable Dwelling Units program. This, after campaigning on a platform which included “Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all.”

George H.W. Bush infamously said, “Read my lips. No new taxes.” LBJ promised the country not to escalate America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. George W. Bush campaigned, in-part, against excess government spending. Then, expanded several federal programs.

How Hypocrisy Hurts Businesses

The list goes on and on and on. Bernie Sanders, who rails against wealth inequality, owns three houses, has a net worth of about $2 million, and earns a six-figure salary. You get the idea. And, these are just a handful of politicians. It doesn’t include entrepreneurs, celebrities, professional athletes, and other public figures.

As a business owner or manager, it’s important to practice what you preach. If you require employees to be available 24/7 while you’re MIA, or you’re constantly texting on the job while you prohibit employees from using their phones, for example, your hypocritical behavior is sending the wrong message to employees, and they may resent you for it. —Business News Daily

Of course, hypocrisy is everywhere. When it occurs in a business environment, it’s very harmful. Hypocrisy undermines your ability to lead. After all, it’s essentially telling your employees to literally do as you say, NOT do as you do. You lose respect. It compromises your standing. Plus, it makes it very difficult for others to even work with you.

3 Key Ways to Avoid Hypocrisy as a Business Leader

Hypocrisy is a dangerous trait. It essentially subverts morale and threatens the very viability of a business. It can even go so far as to cause a self-inflicted implosion. So, just how do you avoid being hypocritical? Here are a few helpful suggestions for how to avoid hypocrisy as a business leader:

Practice self-awareness. You might call this “practice what you preach.” It’s an obvious reminder but one definitely worth mentioning. Every day, you should stay vigilant and stay self-aware about your own behavior. While it’s not rocket science, it’s quite difficult to put into practice.
Be consistent with decisions. It’s almost impossible not to have or even show bias. We all do it in a variety of ways. You might treat team members differently due to your own personal biases. When making decisions, consider all sides of the equation.
Actively solicit constructive criticism. It’s always good to encourage feedback from your employees (as well as your customers). And, doing so could reveal hypocrisy you commit but don’t consciously act against.

What other advice would you give about avoiding hypocrisy? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Big Benefits of Business Coaching

May 16, 2017 No Comments

It takes a lot of determination, grit, and optimism to start and grow a business in today’s environment. The duality of the web is that you can broadcast further than ever before, reaching more potential customers, but so can your competition. The internet certainly changes the dynamics of business, but it’s not your only tool. You have more at your disposal, and for many entrepreneurs, they don’t look to much else. That certainly creates a problem, but it’s one that can be overcome, with the right attitude and mindset. Put another way, business owners succeeded before the advent of the web, and, those who are now growing do so making the most of what’s available. These entrepreneurs understand that ultimately, business is all about people, and, having the advice of an experienced professional does so much. The Big Benefits of Business Coaching You’ve heard about business coaching but might wonder why companies utilize their services. One advantage is gaining insight into what growing a company looks like from someone that’s been through the process time and again. Often times, companies lack experience in dealing with problems not faced before. They simply don’t know where to begin, or, what tack to take. Business coaching is not just for entrepreneurs with small to medium sized enterprises. In fact, studies have shown that over 58% of large corporations have expanded their use of business coaching over the last few years. Why? Because it works. —Enterprise Hub That’s a really a bad place to be and decisions made with uncertainty rarely have good outcomes. It’s not just fear that fells companies and alters their direction, but also, lack of preparation and not having an adequate, workable system in place. There are still more reasons companies benefit from business coaching, including the following: Organization and time management. A huge problem for most business owners is that so many things compete for their attention. That can easily lead to becoming disorganized, and, to poor time management. With someone helping to set priorities, schedules, and boundaries, a lot more will get done with the most important tackled at the right time, with limited distraction. Setting achievable goals to build momentum. One thing that can weigh down a business and get an entrepreneur stuck is lack of achievement. The reason material is taught in a incremental, tiered fashion, practically no matter the subject, is because it works. People are naturally motivated to reach other goals when they’ve had success. Sure, there is always the possibility of failure, but when it has a small impact, it’s a lot easier to overcome. Making team members accountable. A hobgoblin of business is one the wreaks havoc both subtly and overtly: little to no assigned accountability. For team members, as well as owners, to be truly productive, creative, and deliver their best, everyone in the organization needs to be held accountable. The trouble with this scenario is those on the inside usually have difficulty seeing the forest for the trees. Put another way, it’s hard to assign accountability to each team member because you’re dealing with personalities and emotions. A third party will have a much more clear view. Smart financial projecting and planning. It’s not easy to make financial projections and plan for the future when you’re trying to run a business. While you likely have a grasp on potential, there will be contingencies. Here again, having an experienced hand will take off pressure and keep you from diluting the numbers for a variety of reasons. Creating a better, more open environment. When everyone in the organization feels valued and is encouraged to contribute creatively, there’s a lot of good that will come as a result. Tapping into those resources must be done in a positive, proactive, and genuine way. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Entrepreneurs, Avoid these Passive-Aggressive Phrases

January 5, 2023 No Comments

Passive aggression is a common behavior in the workplace, but it can be damaging to both individual and team performance. Such behavior is characterized by the expression of negative feelings indirectly, rather than openly and honestly. This can take the form of indirect or sarcastic comments, procrastination, or the refusal to communicate or cooperate. How Passive-Aggressiveness Hurts Businesses of All Sizes On a personal level, passive aggression can lead to increased stress, conflicts with coworkers, and a negative work environment. It can also damage personal relationships and lead to a lack of trust within a team. From a business perspective, passive aggression can have serious consequences. It can lead to decreased productivity, missed deadlines, and a decline in the quality of work. It can also create a toxic work culture and lead to high turnover rates. Passive-aggressive behavior is frustrating for both parties involved. It’s unproductive and it makes you and others become less trusted in the workplace. —Entrepreneur.com Furthermore, passive aggression can lead to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns, which can have a negative impact on customer satisfaction and the overall success of the company. In order to create a healthy and productive work environment, it’s important to address and resolve conflicts directly and earnestly. This means being open and honest about your feelings and needs, and being willing to listen to and consider the perspectives of others. By addressing issues freely, you can improve communication, strengthen relationships, and ultimately, benefit the success of the business. Passive-Aggressive Phrases Business Owners and Managers shouldn’t Say According to various speech experts, there are certain phrases that can irritate people and should be avoided in order to maintain healthy communication in relationships. These phrases, which are known as passive-aggressive language, often involve an indirect expression of anger or resentment. With this in mind, let’s take a look at a few examples of passive-aggressive phrases to avoid: “I’m fine.” This phrase is often used to mask negative emotions and can come across as insincere or dismissive. Instead, try expressing your true feelings in a respectful but honest way. “Whatever you want.” This phrase can make it seem like you don’t care about the other person’s feelings or opinions. It’s important to show that you value their input and are willing to consider their perspective. “I was just kidding.” This phrase can be used to brush off hurtful comments or actions, but it’s important to recognize when your words or actions have caused harm and take responsibility for them. “It’s not a big deal.” This phrase can minimize the other person’s feelings and make it seem like their concerns are not important. Instead, try acknowledging their feelings and working together to find a solution. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”This phrase places the blame on the other person’s emotions rather than taking responsibility for your own actions. It’s important to apologize for your own behavior and make an effort to make things right. Fortunately, this means that you can improve communication and strengthen your relationships by being aware of these phrases and avoiding them. Obviously, this isn’t a comprehensive list. If you have any other phrases business owners and managers should avoid, please take a moment to comment and share your own personal thoughts and experiences! Are you interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Here’s the Big Lesson from the Mark Zuckerberg Apology Tour

April 9, 2018 No Comments

Mark Zuckerberg is generating a lot of headlines. It’s too early yet to know if the old cliché “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” will eventually apply. But, what we definitely know is this is a company with too much going on at one time. Now, the merits of the scandal are in hot debate. On one hand, it’s a new practice but some marketers have come forward to explain this is just business-as-usual. Regardless, it’s started a conversation about privacy, advertising practices, and personal information security. However, this only touches the surface of the real problem — Facebook is too big. The Facebook-Google Duopoly Example Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of talk about the Google-Facebook duopoly. Now, it’s more apparent than ever these two companies are the center of the internet. Even more important is what this teaches us. Both companies are currently under heavy scrutiny — a result of their massive scales. Each company is far more than their core missions. Google is part of Alphabet, a huge conglomerate. As for Facebook, it owns Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, and more. Getting bigger means that you need to get more organized. Working fast and loose may have been fine for your small team of superstars, but it won’t work as well with a bigger group. As your ranks grow and positions that were filled by individuals transform into teams of people, the need to stay organized becomes amplified. —Inc.com The point here is Google is not just a search engine. Nor is Facebook only a social media network. Both are a lot more. Now, let’s distill this down to the world of small business. It’s only natural to grow and expand into new territory. The question is, when does that compromise the company’s core? In other words, growth isn’t always a good thing. How to Get Back to Business Basics One critical lesson here is the fact that when a business grows, does it grow to meet the needs of its customers? Or, does it expand to other areas for the sake of chasing profit. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with adding new revenue streams. But, there is something very wrong about letting it harm core competency. Here’s a few suggestions for how to get back to business basics: Listen to your customers. More customers are one sign that your business is growing. As your customer base increases, it becomes more and more difficult to stay in-touch. So, start listening in earnest again. There are several ways to do this beyond personal interaction, if necessary. Surveys, email, and more are valuable resources. Give your team a real voice. Just because your business is larger doesn’t mean that you need to only rely on a few key people. Chances are excellent, there are team members under management who have valuable input. Solicit from them periodically and take their insight to heart. Purge all the extra stuff. When a company grows beyond its initial offerings, it breaks its old parameters. Which means often journeying out to untested waters. Problems inevitably ensue. So, stop trying to force what’s not working and let it go. Get an outside perspective. Companies can easily lose sight of their identity. If a random person can’t immediately identify what your company does, or names off a bunch of things confusingly, that’s a bad sign. Bring in an experienced business coach to give you that much-needed outside perspective. Have you experienced a time when you needed to get back to basics? What other advice would you offer? Please share your thoughts and experiences by joining the conversation! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.