Several years ago I promoted a project manager to vice president responsible for overall success of all construction operations. He was newly accountable for hitting all construction management, field, production and project profit goals. The project managers, superintendents and foreman continued to keep customers happy by building on-time with quality workmanship. However, while he primarily focused on what he was good at-building projects, the profit targets were not being hit and our job margins were slipping. As a result, we were not making our expected company financial projections. I continually pressured him to work with the project managers to get their numbers right, stop giving away money on changes, stop being too easy on customers and letting poor field performers continue to underachieve.
Even with my constant disappointment, he didn’t do what he needed to do. He continued to allow supervisors and managers to lose money and go over-budget without consequences. He didn’t confront his former peers, give ultimatums or discuss their poor results. This eventually caused us to lose even more money and some customers. With him as the captain, the ship began to sink and projects were going downhill faster and faster. He didn’t accept accountability or responsibility for the overall bottom line and allowed weak employees to continue in their ways.
After it was almost too late, I finally had to step in and make some drastic changes in leadership, personnel, project management standards, field production practices and accountability reviews. Have you ever wished your people problems would go away? Ever hoped you don’t have to confront someone who isn’t meeting your performance standards or making results happen? Do you postpone tough people decisions until there is no other alternative? Does your delayed behavior make things better?
Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Ever have a person in your company with a bad attitude? They talk behind your back and bad mouth everything and everybody. This permeates throughout your company and eventually disrupts good people and destroys teamwork. So do you fire them? Often company owners and managers are so busy getting projects finished and crews organized, they hope problem people will magically go away. So they do nothing and postpone what they need to do about these poison people.
We had a construction administrator who smiled and did anything I asked at a competent level. But all the others around her continually complained she had a case of bad attitude. As the company owner, I didn’t see it and told my other staffers to try and work it out. It eventually got so bad, I had good people come into my office and demand changes. Finally I did what I had to do and fired the bad apple. Why did I wait so long? Did this help the situation? Have you ever waited too long?
Fire fast!
Don’t postpone what you need to do! When you delay making tough decisions it costs you time, energy and lots of money. Quick firm decisions are hard to make but they get to the bottom of your problems fast. When things go bad, they generally don’t get better. Eventually you’ll have to make the decisions anyway. So, why not make them sooner than later. Everyone sees problem people and the damage they do. The longer you don’t act, the more you irritate others. Everyone is waiting for you to do what you need to do. When you don’t do what you should, you lose respect as your good people continue to put up with poor performers.
It’s about results, not activity! Some people stay busy at their job but don’t get the results you expect from them. Give them clear targets to hit. If they don’t hit them, give them a quick warning, coaching and a second chance. If they still don’t get results, fire them fast. Don’t accept lame excuses for not hitting targets. Poor performers blame their problems on just about everything except themselves. They don’t take responsibility or accept accountability for their actions. These people ruin a good company and take all your time to manage. When you fire faster, people will realize you mean business and results matter.
Attack problems!
When you postpone making tough decisions, you also delay solving the problem. Delaying the inevitable causes stress, grief, lost sleep and lost money. Problems don’t get better. They get worse and harder to solve. Be pro-active! When you tiptoe around problems, they only get worse and cost you more money. When you’re not getting the results you expect, put people on notice they must perform or you will replace them. Do it now or do it later. And go with your gut! You know what you should do. If you think something’s wrong-it probably is. So go and do what you need to do sooner than later.
When you aren’t getting the results you need or want, use those famous words: “You’re fired!” Immediately you’ll feel relieved and the pressure will lift. You can now work on solving the problem instead of working with the wrong people, suppliers, subcontractors or consultants. Your attitude will change from negative to positive. And your team will rally around your decision. What are you waiting for?
George Hedley is a licensed professional business coach, popular professional speaker and author of “Get Your Business to Work!” available at his online bookstore. He works with contractors to build profitable growing companies. To request your free copy of “Profit 101 For Contractors,” sign up for his free monthly e-newsletter, hire Hedley to speak, be part of his ongoing BIZCOACH program, or take a class at Hardhat BIZSCHOOL online university, visit www.hardhatpresentations.com or email gh@hardhatpresentations.com.
