Dear Sean
For a long time, I struggled to be taken seriously as a designer. Through years of relentless professionalism, I have grown my business into a force my community has come to recognize and respect. . I hear from designers who take Fridays off work or schedule themselves, and that seems like a good change.
I’m ready to work so that the team can get some slack if I’m in the office even a little less. How can I reassure them that I am here for them even though I am not in the office?
downtime dreams
Dear Dreaming,
Martyrdom means that everyone dies in the end. Doing everything you’ve been doing to establish your company’s reputation isn’t great. It should be fixed.
How do you underestimate your team? Perhaps you have given staff authority or responsibility for tasks, but never both. but if something goes wrong it all comes back to you. Or vice versa: they are responsible for creating purchase orders, but can only do so if you say so.
Nature hates a vacuum. If you create a space for your team to intervene, would you really accept it? Easier said than done. Indeed, when a project is going well, there is an illusion that you are taking advantage of everything you do. But if things go sideways (which they inevitably do), what then? BREAKING: These thoughts aren’t true unless you make them true.Moreover, such attitudes make it difficult for teams to have the opportunity to fulfill both responsibilities. When authority.
I have a workout. First, define your role to the client and the role of your team. Let them know who is responsible for what, why and when for any project. Then when you talk to someone in your company, let them know that that person is the person who can best answer the question of the moment.
It’s much easier to answer a client’s question than to leave it to your team. Ego and convenience usually drive you to answer things you shouldn’t. But doing so throws the team under the bus. Why would a client go to her member of your team if they know they can have you answer their questions?Lost communication means lost opportunities to develop staff. increase.
My guess is that if someone is working for you, that person is exceptionally talented at what they do. And since your clients pay your team a lot, it’s up to you to bring that value home by acknowledging the power of your team’s voice.
The reason designers can take Fridays, or even months off a year, is to hold the team accountable and empowered. That way, your staff will earn the client’s respect and trust, even if problems arise while you’re away. You reinforce this idea and set aside ego and expediency.
Enjoy your Fridays at the beach when you make it happen to yourself.
Homepage photo: © sellingpix/Adobe Stock
____________
Sean Lowe is the go-to business coach for interior designers. His clients include Nate Berkus, Sawyer Burson, Vicente Wolfe, Barry Dixon, Kevin Isbell and McGrath II. Low has a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has long consulted for his design business as founder and president of The Business of Being Creative. BOH’S BUSINESS HIS ADVICE In his column, he answers designers’ most pressing questions. Got a dilemma? Please contact us by email. Please be assured that the details will be kept anonymously.
.
Comments
Post a Comment