Nov 17, 2023
This Podcast Is Episode 550, And It's About Becoming A Better Construction Leader By Practicing Generosity
If you have been lucky enough to encounter generous people,
you understand they have a unique gift for garnering the respect
and admiration of individuals around them. When you are a leader,
having a positive relationship with the people who follow you is a
huge asset you cannot put a price on.
In the construction business, generosity and helpfulness are
two fundamental traits that can make a business successful. When
contractors are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with
others, it creates a sense of community and fosters growth and
success for everyone involved. Additionally, when contractors are
generous with their time, resources, and even their finances, it
can significantly impact the success of other businesses and
individuals.
t is the right thing to do and being generous because it is
something you value are two different things. If you want your
generosity to be compelling, it must come from a place of sincere
care and concern for those you lead. Being generous to others not
only lowers their anxiety and increases their appreciation for you,
but it also adds to your happiness and health.
2. Look for moments to
be grateful.
Being grateful could be as simple as sending a brief, personal
thank-you email when the occasion arises. You do not need to create
a large display or spend much money to make people feel valued.
Simply watch for positive behavior in others, and when you see it,
make a mental note to acknowledge it and express your
gratitude.
3. Find opportunities to
give back to your community.
Depending on your resources and the capacity to lead others,
the extent of your reach may vary, but don't let that stop you from
finding ways to give back to your community. Most homeless shelters
have standing requests for donations of socks, bottled water,
coats, and blankets. Speak to your company to gauge their interest
and help organize a supply drive or fundraiser to give back to your
community. When the people you lead see you being generous, it
displays your character and often increases their respect for
you.
4. Become more
hopeful.
Naturally generous people are often idealists. They perceive
how the world around them should be and believe in the goodness of
people. Becoming an optimist could be a struggle if you are
naturally pessimistic, but it is not insurmountable. Next time a
challenge arises on the team you are leading, go above and beyond
to believe the best in others and trust that the outcome will be
positive even when it may not look that way on the surface.
5. Look for
opportunities to trust others.
Trusting others may not seem like a quality of a generous
person; however, one of the most remarkable ways you can be
generous with others is by trusting them enough to allow them to
take the lead on things that matter to them. Trust their ideas and,
more importantly, their ability to complete the task. When you
loosen your grip as a leader and trust the people around you to do
what needs to be done, they will see you as a more trustworthy,
generous leader.
There are many ways to express generosity toward others. When
you look for opportunities to be more understanding and helpful,
the people you lead will feel more secure following you. A leader
needs to gain trust and respect; one of the best ways to do that is
by being generous as often as possible!
And what's the most
generous thing you can do for yourself? Hire
help!
If you're like most construction business owners, there are
never enough hours in the day to complete every task on your
list.
Often, you must prioritize what you need to do right now –
deal with a client, estimate a project, attend an event – and what
you know you should do for the ongoing growth of your
business.
It sounds simple, but many entrepreneurs' self-sufficient,
independent nature can make it difficult to get comfortable
delegating responsibility. Finding the right people to relieve the
burden of doing everything all the time is the only way a business
can scale and reach its potential.
Think carefully about how you spend your days. Are you still
at the point where you want to – or need to – do it all? The
ultimate success of any company is to reach the point where it can
run without you so you can enjoy a holiday, pass the business on to
a family member, or sell it. Start outsourcing the tasks you like
the least - it could be managing your online presence or
bookkeeping, for instance, so you can spend more days with the
things that matter and the people you love the most.
Final
thoughts
Developing new business habits takes time and commitment – but
the payoff is well worth it! Generosity can help you become a
better construction business owner. It means going above and beyond
what is expected of you and being kind and empathetic toward your
employees, clients, the community, and yourself. When you approach
your business with generosity, you create a culture where everyone
feels valued and respected. This, in turn, can lead to increased
productivity, better client relationships, and a positive
reputation within the industry.
So, if you're a contractor looking to positively impact your
community and build strong relationships with others in the
industry, consider being generous and helpful whenever possible. It
may lead to tremendous success and satisfaction in the long
run.
PS
We offer free resources to
help you save time and money that you can download and print
now.
About The Author:
Sharie DeHart, QPA, co-founded Business
Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the
leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and
accounting services companies and cash management accounting for
small construction companies across the USA. She encourages
Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on
their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining
cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and
profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770
or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com