Know When to Dump Them
Other people have the potential to influence our businesses and lives more than any other single factor. So, choosing to work with positive influences is the most important step in creating an optimistic business environment.
We all get a little hyped about ideas in the beginning and many of us put forth more effort when we are at the start of a project. That goes for our partners and employees too. Sometimes, it’s after several months pass that we start to see the “spirit” dwindle.
For me, I noticed a drop in moral when my writers (who had written stories for the first issue) weren’t seeing their work published quickly enough. They weren’t grasping the big picture (the behind the scenes, design and sponsorship stuff). So they began to question me and even express anger toward me.
Some of them left. I dropped some of them. Some of them were great artists but horrible team players.
I began with 200 people who were VERY interested in contributing, 20 who I believed, and am now left with about seven who I feel are truly committed.
While I have made it clear to all of them that everyone has their place, and that some may give more time than others – I also made it clear to them for that it is absolutely necessary for their hearts to be in it. Without trying to sound a bit too personal with my new “partners” – I called us a “family.”
The people who I’ve chosen to work with feel deeply enough about the company that they call us a family too. It’s great to know that we have selected other editors who I can call at 9 p.m. to hash out ideas and divide my workload a bit – but also laugh with and ask for serious advice.
Who did I drop?
- I dropped people who didn’t come through on promises a few times
- I dropped people who I couldn’t hold a comfortable conversation with – (I’d like to think I can get along with everybody, but who can really do that).
- I dropped people who took more time from me than they gave – people who continuously tried to force me to explain reasons for doing things “my way”
- I dropped people who mentioned money more than 3x per e-mail (I know it’s important, but it can’t be your driving force – at least not when working with me… or working for a magazine).
- I dropped people who were less organized than me – in a very bad way
Really, I dumped the dudes who made me feel uncomfortable in some way. I think we’ve all had that gut feeling, right?
Sometimes in business you want to give someone a chance because it seems like you need them and they are there. This just prolongs the inevitable.
Don’t get stuck at some meeting with someone who judges you and can’t hear you over their own ego – because they offered their services free of charge. It aint worth it!!
If you’re dreading making a call to or having lunch with one of your associates – he/she might be a dumping candidate.
How to dump them…
- Only spend time and emotion dumping people who are deserving (if someone threatens to sue you without cause or a lawyer – which happened to me, just cut ties without words. It aint worth your trouble).
- My first instinct is usually just to be straight forward with the dumping victim, but the unifying characteristic of all my dumpees is that they have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about – ever. It’s miscommunication and discommunication paradise.
- Do it on the phone or in person if you can. Be as short simple and polite as possible—remember these guys may turn out to be your customers.
- I try not to tell people “what” they did wrong because maybe they didn’t “do” anything… and I don’t need them to try to fix things.
Remember – ridding your business of negative forces does the dumpees a favor too. They couldn’t have had such a great time working with you either.
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