Summary:
In any business, consistency is important. Rules should stay the same for every employee. Fair, wise rules are the key to a successful business and a peaceful workplace. Employees won't fight about the length of their lunch breaks and the location of their parking spots; instead they will have more time to focus on their jobs.
Have you ever wanted to start a business but didn't know any good management techniques? The way a business is managed can make all the difference on whether it succeeds or fails. In the speech by Coach Noll, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he discusses his job as a football coach and how coaching a team is very similar to managing a successful business.
There are many techniques that can help you run a successful business. First you need a plan, a basis on which to start from. The plan is the most important part because it gives your employees confidence. Once you have a plan, either in your head, on a piece of paper, or on a folded up napkin from lunch, apply it to the business. Talk it through with your employees during a meeting and ask for all of their opinions. Do not take an idea and shove it at them, it will only create friction in the workplace, causing production to decrease. After all, if you do not produce, you won't last. If your idea does not agree with your employees, and revising it doesn't work either, drop it; do not let your ego get in the way.
Although leaders constantly lead their team to victory, it is easier said than done. It is always a good idea to have your people on your side. You should hire assistant managers so you have someone to rely on and help to lead you through the way. It helps to also have a quality leader, someone that will keep everyone on track and working efficiently. When you are hiring look for a tough, persistent leader to get the job done. Coach Noll's middle linebacker, Jack Lambert filled this role. Lambert was the most demonstrative on the team, and didn't tolerate fooling around.
Never point out employees mistakes in front of other people. In the beginning of Coach Noll's career, he saw Mel Blount, one his players, make a mistake on the field. He then got mad at him right on the sidelines. He soon realized that he shouldn't have done that because Mel was booed at all season. This experience taught Noll that he should not criticize in public, another point that can also be applied to the workplace. It is not fair to the employee if you get mad at them on the spot in front of all of their peers, so take them into a private room to tell them of what they did and how they can improve.
In any business, consistency is important. Rules should stay the same for every employee. Fair, wise rules are the key to a successful business and a peaceful workplace. Employees won't fight about the length of their lunch breaks and the location of their parking spots; instead they will have more time to focus on their jobs. As Coach Noll says, "Uniformity is the only way to have harmony." Also, do not give your "favorites" special, looser rules because you like them better. Coach Noll's star player Joe Greene came in 5 minutes after curfew and was given the punishment of paying $50 for the pizza he ate while he was out. By doing this, Coach Noll proved that he didn't favor any players over the others. If you do a good job picking your people, you don't need many rules and things will run smoother within the workplace.
In the speech that Coach Noll delivered, he discussed his career as a football coach and ways he was able to make his team prosper and how those ways also applied to the business world. A company is only as good as the people it employs, so choose your employees wisely. The amount of respect you give your employees the more it will reflect in their job performance. The next time you think about starting a business remember the wise words Coach Noll spoke.
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