What are the 8 Tips on How to Make Your Boss (and team) Respect You?  Now before you start thinking… “you can’t make people respect you – respect is earned” (which it most definitely is and I wholeheartedly agree with you), hear me out for a minute…

As a cleaning business coach, one of the first conversations I have with new clients is this:  “Have you ever wondered how your team (or boss) views your performance at work?  I’m not talking about your annual performance review here, but how they actually think about you as a member of the organization?    In other words, do they look at you as someone who dreams big and get’s things done, or do they look at you as someone who just turns up, does what you have to, and leaves….?

Let’s face it, no-one goes to work wanting to do a bad job right?  Most of us want our boss or our team to think we’re easy to work with, or efficient, or an asset to the business, so today, let’s look at what we can do, to make that happen…

# 1.  What Value Are You Bringing?

Look at how you add value to the business.   Are you bringing great new ideas on how things can be improved in your department or the business as a whole… (I heard a great quote from Sally Hogshead, “If you’re not adding value, you’re just taking up space”.  Don’t take up space in the business.

# 2.  Ask For Feedback

Make it easy to give you feedback without the drama that can sometimes be associated.   What I mean by that is, ask questions like, “Should I handle that differently next time?” or, “How would you have done that better?”  The point here is to look at it as a great opportunity to get real feedback that will help you become an even better member of the team (as well as their boss).

# 3.  Don’t Get Frustrated Easily

I once worked with a woman whose frustration threshold was so low, she had the entire office (and business) on red alert constantly.   It was counter-productive and damaging to the morale, and although she was an incredible asset in some ways, eventually, we had to let her go because we just couldn’t endure working with her a minute longer – she was, quite literally, punishing…

What we learnt from that experience was huge.

Your company culture is something that must be protected, and if you have a team member who is not in alignment with your company’s purpose, values, and mission, well, it’s better to make a change sooner rather than later.  Remember, in an office, residential or strata cleaning business, company culture is critical to success. 

# 4.  Don’t Overshare

Communication is great, but please don’t overshare.  If you’re cc-ing people in on everything you’re doing in the hope of getting extra credits, please stop that right now.  People are busy so just share with them what they need to be consulted on, to approve, or informed about.  As a rule of thumb – if you’re unsure, just ask..

# 5.  Don’t Schedule Too Many Meetings

I read a great article on Linked In this morning and this phrase really resonated:   “In most businesses, you have to get approval to spend $500, yet you can call a meeting that runs for an hour with 20 of your staff and no-one questions it..”  Forbes did an awesome article on just this subject too, that’s definitely worth a read: “Too Many Meetings, There’s a Simple Solution for That.

# 6.  Accept That Everyone’s Different

Everyone has their own way of doing things – their pet peeves or weird preferences.

That’s ok, ok?

If your office manager wants the commercial cleaning company to use luxurious toilet paper over the ol’ 2 ply – Roll with them (excuse the lame pun…) – it’s really not that big a deal.

# 7.  Frame Your Concerns

If you’ve ever worked with what I like to call the “dream stealers” you’ll connect with this point.   Dream Stealers are people who will tell you every reason why something can’t be done.   They don’t want to try anything new.  They don’t care that you’ve come up with an innovative new way to offer your service, or engage with your team or clients, and then the dream stealers come in and tell you every reason why it won’t work and it can’t be done.

I’m not against constructive criticism, BUT

how about re-framing your objections to:  “what makes the most sense for the business” or “can you explain in a little more detail how this will help our business?”  Instead of just saying “Nope, not going to work because…”

Now if you’re a business owner, of course, you’re the one with everything on the line, so naturally, you will have the final say, and you do need to be straightforward about that too.  A great way to frame it would be:  “I understand that X doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it’s driving me crazy. Could we try doing ___?”

# 8.  Don’t Give In to An Active Imagination

Sometimes, when we receive a text or an email from someone it can sound a little, well, sharp.

And no-one, absolutely 100% no-one, enjoys receiving an email or text like that.

If you’re the recipient of this type of message, sometimes your mind starts to go over it, and play it over and over and before you know it, that message is making you miserable.  You’re feeling undervalued, overwhelmed or just plain upset by it  – all because the sender didn’t put a ‘smile’ into their communication or was very blunt.  So, if you’re confused or even just a little concerned about someone’s words or actions, don’t stew on it.  And don’t send a dozen text messages backwards and forward about it either.  Just use these magical 4 words to solve this:

JUST . SPEAK .  TO . THEM .

Something like “Hey I might be misreading this, but do you have any concerns about how I’m handling XYZ?”  Here’s the trick – say it calmly, and be genuinely curious and open.  If you take the other route and get angry, frustrated and upset, well refer back to Point # 3 ” Don’t Get Frustrated Easily”

Conclusion

What do you do to earn the respect of your team or your boss?  I’d love to hear, so please comment below and share your ideas…

What are your struggles in marketing your cleaning business?  Let me know in the comments below and I’ll try and answer it in my next blog post…  (I read and reply to every comment you leave me)…

Today’s quote:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. – Mark Twain

   Lisa x

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