Are you making things too easy for your team?

If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me say, “People support what they help create.” This principle guides everything I do, especially when I’m coaching my clients on how to be better leaders and get their teams invested in the business. I always encourage my clients to involve their team members in creating core values, developing new systems, and organizing community events. Involving team members in these processes not only makes them feel valued but also boosts their commitment and support. Think back to when your kids were young and hated eating vegetables. What did you do? You got them involved in making dinner, and suddenly, they were more excited to eat what they helped create. It’s simple psychology.

People Support What They Help Create

However, I recently stumbled upon an interesting story that underscores the importance of adding a bit of a challenge to the mix. When Betty Crocker released their “just add water” cake mix in the 60s, sales flopped. Their research revealed that people found it too easy and weren’t invested in the process. So, Betty Crocker added the step of mixing in eggs, which made people feel more involved, and sales soared. This tiny addition made customers feel like they were genuinely part of the baking process, and it worked wonders.

This got me thinking about our own teams. Sometimes, even when we involve our team members, we might not be challenging them enough. People thrive when they are pushed outside their comfort zones. Growth happens when we stretch ourselves, learn new things, and overcome challenges. If you find your team members aren’t fully invested, it might be time to give them more responsibilities within their wheelhouse that stretch their abilities.

This might also explain why some employees leave quickly. When they’re not feeling challenged or appreciated, they tend to look for other opportunities. By giving them meaningful challenges and opportunities to grow, we can help them feel more connected to the business. It’s not about making them managers or business owners; it’s about helping them feel a sense of accomplishment and growth in their roles.

There’s a story of a pottery teacher who divided his class into two groups. One group was told to make as many pieces as possible without worrying about perfection. The other group had to create just one perfect piece. The group that focused on quantity ended up with the most beautiful and perfected pieces. Why? Because they had the freedom to fail, learn, and improve without the pressure of perfection. They were more invested in the process and took pride in their work.

So, what are you doing as a practice owner to help your team stretch and grow? It’s a common fear that if we push too hard, employees will feel stressed and quit. But in reality, the right people will thrive and become more connected to your business. Those who leave because of the stretch probably weren’t the right fit anyway. Use this as a test to identify who’s in it for the long haul.

When hiring new team members, make sure to give them challenging tasks within the first 90 days. This helps them learn and gauges their ability to grow and adapt. Let’s take action now to challenge our teams and stretch their capabilities. By doing so, we create an environment where everyone feels invested and “all in” for the future. Start today, and watch how the sense of ownership and commitment transforms your business. Together, we can build stronger, more dedicated teams that drive success.

Proactive, Productive and Profitable,

Dino