The best people treat company money as if it is their own money…
A constant question that I get asked is whether I think there are common behavioural traits among people in business that separates the best (or, at least, the better ones) from the rest. It’s a question that has many answers but I think there is one that stands out. That is, the best people treat the business’s money as if it is their own money.
That is, they constantly take ownership of their role and do what’s in the best interest of the business!
“Stealing time” by showing up late, leaving early and generally being unproductive and distracting to other team members. It’s an unforgivable crime, however, if you pay them a day late …
Some use firm assets for their own personal use, “borrowing” an item or two out of stationery or excessive amounts of personal calls, or face book communicating all day long.
This is ok if they ask permission first. If they don’t then it’s no different to pilfering, in my view. Maybe I’m old fashioned but if they don’t own it, then it’s not theirs to take.
The worst part is that some people justify to themselves that this type of behaviour is acceptable. Crazily, some even believe they are entitled to it. Even worse, that they deserve it. They don’t. You have to pay your dues to get what you want. The minute you forget this lesson is the minute that your effectiveness declines.
A team that takes ownership is the Holy Grail in an accounting practice. A prize to be nurtured, developed and protected. Building a practice with a team like this is a fantastically fun, gratifying and ultimately profitable experience …
Start today to create a culture of responsibility and ownership and the cream will rise to the top. What’s even more interesting, in my experience, is that the crowd will follow and you will create the best of the best. It’s more than setting rules and guidelines, it’s more about mentoring them to make the decisions for themselves.
Practices that have achieved this already know it’s a combination of internal and external mentoring that is the secret to achieving team ownership.
Email or call Andrew today for a chat about your practice and ways to develop team ownership.