Would You Apply for a Job at Your Company?

I hear business owners talk about how hard it is to find good employees all the time.

And I understand it.

Finding people who show up, care about their work, take responsibility, and want to be part of something isn't always easy.

But I've wondered something over the years.

If you were looking for a job today, would you want to work at your own company?

It's an interesting question when you really think about it.

We spend a lot of time thinking about what we want from employees. We want them to be dependable, have a good attitude, take pride in their work, and treat the business like it matters.

Those are reasonable expectations.

But I wonder how often we think about what it's like to be on the other side of that relationship.

What does a new employee experience when they walk through the door?

Do they feel welcomed? Does somebody take the time to help them understand what they're doing? Do they know what a good job looks like? Or are they thrown into the middle of a busy day and expected to figure things out as they go?

I've seen owners get frustrated because someone didn't work out, but when you look a little closer, that person never really had much of a chance.

They were hired because the business desperately needed help. Everyone was busy. Training happened whenever somebody could find a minute. And before long, the new employee was being judged against expectations nobody had clearly explained.

That's a difficult way to start.

And it isn't just about new employees.

Think about the people who've been with you for years.

Do they enjoy coming to work? Do they feel appreciated? Do they see a future there? Do they feel like they're part of something, or are they just trying to get through another day?

I don't think every day has to be exciting, and I certainly don't think running a business means making everybody happy all the time.

Work is still work.

But the experience we create for our employees matters just as much as the expectations we have for them.

We talk a lot about attracting the right people.

Sometimes I wonder whether we've spent enough time building a place where the right people would actually want to stay.

Because if you wouldn't want to work at your own company, it's probably worth asking why.

Dave