I have had coaching clients who are frustrated when their staff doesn’t embrace the vision they are trying to enact. The leader has repeatedly shared the big picture, but the small behaviors don’t align toward that end.
In some ways, having an inexperienced staff is like raising a puppy. You know you want a well-behaved, full-grown dog in the end, and have to keep reminding yourself that the ill-behaved, little ball of fur will transform into that — with repeated, clear coaching. It doesn’t just happen on its own over time.
How do you train a puppy? With crisp directions, immediate feedback, and lots of praise. So when your pooch eats leaves from your tree like a giraffe, you instantly correct that behavior with a brisk “no!” You start small and work up from there.
While you’re not going to bark a “no” command to your staff, your message should be as clear when their behavior falls outside the norms you are trying to create. Helping with immediate course-correction (and on-the-spot praise for desired actions) helps communicate boundaries and steers their actions in the way you desire.
Having a puppy is hard work. Creating a culture and onboarding staff is hard work as well. Keep the end in mind as you work through the tough times to end up with years of behavior you can enjoy.
