Episode 52: The People Problem: Why Having the Right People on the Bus Will Make or Break Your Business

Show notes

In Episode 52, Sam extends on last week’s topic about strategic planning to dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of this process, which is the people involved. If you haven’t yet listened to Episode 51 about the problems with strategic planning, go back and do so.

Two of the biggest blocks that come up in this area are having engagement from the people involved in the planning process, and also having ‘the wrong people on the bus’. There is a reason staff engagement is a key element of all our programs here at BlueprintHQ.

Firstly, Sam covers the two main ways to involve people in the planning process and why it’s something that gets missed in most workplaces. Plus, she shares a simple step you can take for your 2021 to kickstart this discussion with your team.

Secondly, Sam dives into the problems with having the wrong people in your business, whether it’s simply not a fit or if it’s a toxic person. She shares the powerful question you must ask yourself before you go into your 2021 planning, as well as some of the ways you can tell if a person—staff, supplier or client—is someone you need to ‘get off the bus’.

Finally, Sam explores why having difficult conversations is not only the most effective and efficient but also the kindest thing you can do for all involved. Plus, a simple script you can use to begin these difficult conversations.

Listen to an excerpt

What we cover in this episode

• The two biggest blocks regarding people when it comes to strategic planning

• Why you need to engage people in the planning process to achieve buy-in

• The problem with having the ‘wrong people on the bus’

• Why this topic is so important to Sam

• The two ways to involve and engage people in the planning process

• Why this gets missed in most workplaces (especially big firms)

• A simple step to take for your 2021 to kickstart this discussion with your team

• The reason staff engagement is a key element of our programs at BlueprintHQ

• How having the wrong people on the bus blocks your business, whether it’s a toxic person or simply not a fit

• The powerful question you must ask yourself before you go into 2021 planning (or any strategic planning)

• How to tell if a person—whether staff, supplier or client—is someone you need to ‘get off the bus’

• An example of how this has played out for one of BlueprintHQ’s clients

• Why having difficult conversations is not only the most effective and efficient but also the kindest thing you can do

• A simple script you can use to begin these difficult conversations

Quotes

“We’re going to think about the two elements of ‘people’ that need to be included in planning. So number one is involving everyone who actually is involved in the plan, and seeing what they say on how we actually do it. And secondly, really starting to plan who should or should not be in the team.”

“You [might] have people who, even if they're great at what their job is, can get in the way of planning and actually disrupt it completely. And it's not that they're bad people or you're a bad person, it's just that maybe they're not the right type. And then [there might be] toxic people. So how can we plan to get them off the bus, and why is it so important to do it?”

“At the end of the day it's the team of people that you have, whether they be 1-2 people or 150 people, that actually need to execute the plans. So they need to have clarity in the plans, and they need to [have] buy-in. The easiest and most effective way to get buy-in is to actually involve them in the build.”

“If [people] know that they've helped to build it, they will get involved. And then if they don't, you know where the blocks are going to be.”

“Ask [yourself] this: if I'm sitting here in 2021, at the same time in the year, is there anyone that I don't want there with me. I want you to be super honest about that if you can.”

“Having difficult conversations can actually take a fairly short period of time, compared to 12 years [of the wrong person in your business]. And we aren't trained for this, we don't actually plan for it. So when it does happen, it can be quite dramatic. We don't want that, because everyone's human, and we want to be so kind when we do have difficult conversations. But I can tell you, it's kinder on ourselves and it's kinder on the people involved to have to the conversations and actually start planning exits, or whatever that might be for everybody involved.”

“As Brené Brown says it takes approximately 8 seconds to get over the uncomfortableness in the actual initial conversation. But not having these [difficult] conversations can take a lot more time more, and also [impact] your health as well.”

“[The people side] is probably one of the most uncomfortable aspects of planning and investigating where you want to go….And if you can get this right, plans are much more easily executed and achieved. The more people you have on board, the more people can help you accelerate your plans going forward. I know this from experience, I've really worked hard to get the right people on our bus. And that's sometimes super uncomfortable. But I do know for a fact the more you include people and the more you have the right people, the more you will achieve.”

Links

Episode 4 - The Art of Difficult Conversations

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