Have you ever worked for a micromanager?  Annoying isn’t it!!!  In my opinion, there is nothing worse than someone constantly checking over your shoulder to make sure you are getting something done.  I hated when people did that to me, and I don’t do it to my employee’s.  So now you’re thinking… “Tim, how do you know when they are getting work done?”  Well, actually most of my employees live out of state which means that for me to know they are getting the work done; they have to PROVE it to me on a weekly basis!  It’s really a win-win situation.  They get to work at home, and I get responsible, self-motivated employees.  

I was recently reading out of this book called “A Leaders Legacy” by Kouzes & Posner and chapter 10 was actually all about this subject of giving the responsibility back to the employee.  Samta Bansal says “What worked best for me was the freedom and power I gave to my team; the trust and confidence I showed in them.  It increased their commitment level to the project.”  Kind of counterintuitive isn’t it?  She goes on later to say “The concept of giving away power was NOT in my comfort zone.  But what I learned doing it was a great humbling experience.  Once I consciously started to create a climate of trust and started GIVING independence to my team, the sense of responsibility and accountability increased.  People started to own the tasks instead of considering it a team liability.”

Heck, I think she just hit the nail on the head.  I’ve seen this happen numerous times with all of my employees (heck, my kids too!).  Giving away power is out of ALL our comfort zones!  I mean, do we let just anyone drive our cars?  Or watch our kids?  No.  But, empowering others is the BEST thing we can do for them.  Give them the responsibility, and then recognize them for their efforts.  Everyone from the grocery clerk to the ‘big-wig’ president of a company wants to be recognized for the good they do.  Don’t ever underestimate edification.

Take the leap of faith and let go! The only person you can control is yourself.

All the best!

 
Tim Schmidt

June 6, 2009 - 8:09:59 PM
John 

Dear Tim,
I was reading that you did a presentation at the Underground Online Marketing event. I am starting an industrial products association and was wondering if you have the handouts or anything that I could use to get a head start on this venture. Thanks! John
Hello John,
As a matter of fact, I am putting the finishing touches on a FREE e-book entitled, Tim Schmidt’s Tribal FORMULA - Revealed! Heck, I’m also going to be holding a FREE webinar on July 2nd, 2009 that covers all the nitty gritty aspects of what I’ve learned over the last 10+ years of building my businesses. Stay tuned for more information.
-Tim

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June 4, 2009 - 11:50:45 PM
Scott L

Hey Tim,
I have read your blog and gotten your emails for a while now. I have a great deal of respect for what you are doing and accomplishing. I was impressed with the emails and PDF regarding Tribal marketing as well. I do have a suggestion for you to help you improve the profitability of your company. Normally I would charge a nice consulting fee for this but wanted to provide it to you for free. I would suggest testing the following on your sign up page. You currently offer three choices. Web only $27 Magazine only $37 Mag and web $47 I would suggest testing the following. Web only $27 Mag only $47 Mag and Web $47 If you know Mike Hill or have read Predictably Irrational you will see a big increase in your mag/web subscriptions. I sincerely enjoy your work and hope you are doing well. A former chemical engineer Scott Lovingood www.AskTheWealthSquad.com

Hi Scott,
Dang, that is some SOLID advice.  Believe it or not, but I recently purchased the book “Predictably Irrational” (I just haven’t read it yet!).  It sounds to me like the price change you’re suggesting would have a sort of “decoy” effect?  I can’t wait to test this and thanks AGAIN for the great advice.

This video doesn’t really have to do with business or marketing.  But instead with ourselves and our internal motivation.  People don’t take our goals away from us, we give them away.  I like what Will Smith says here, we have to “protect our dreams.”

All the best!

 
Tim Schmidt

When did it become ‘cool’ to be an anti-patriot?  Certain things really get under my skin and being disrespectful to the flag or to those who have fought for our country is one of them.  I believe in Freedom, and freedom needs to be protected.  Now that is one role of the government that I DO support.  We need a military to protect and fight for those freedoms we enjoy so much.  BUT, generally speaking, the government just needs to stay out of my business. 
SO, I’d like to share some principles from a book called ‘The 5000 Year Leap’ written & put together by the National Center for Constitutional Studies.  Simply put, this book is AWESOME!  Heck, I wish it was required reading for all high school students.  It’s about ‘The 28 Great Ideas That Changed the World.’

The 15th Principle, one of my favorites!  The Highest Level of Prosperity Occurs when there is a Free-Market Economy and a Minimum of Government Regulations.  Most of this is straight from the book. 
 The United States was the first people to undertake the structuring of a whole national economy on the basis of natural law and the free-market concept described by Adam Smith (who wrote a book in 1776 called The Wealth of Nations).  Among other things, this formula called for the following:
1. Specialized production – let each person or corporation of persons do what they do best.
2. Exchange of goods takes place in a free-market environment without governmental interference in production, prices, or wages.
3. The free market provides the needs of the people on the basis of supply and demand, with no government imposed monopolies.
4. Prices are regulated by competition on the basis of supply and demand.
5. Profits are looked upon as the means by which production of goods and services is made worthwhile.
6. Competition is looked upon as the means by which quality is improved, quantity is increased, and prices are reduced.

The Four Laws of Economic Freedom
Prosperity also depends on a climate of wholesome stimulation protected by law.  Reduced to its simplest formula, there are four laws of economic freedom which a nation must maintain if its people are to prosper at the maximum level.  These are:
1. The Freedom to try.
2. The Freedom to buy.
3. The Freedom to sell.
4. The Freedom to fail.

Proper role of gov is to protect equal rights, NOT provide equal things

By 1905 the United States had become the richest industrial nation in the world.  With only 5 percent of the earth’s continental land area and merely 6 percent of the world’s population, the American people were producing over half of almost everything-clothes, food, houses, transportation, communications, even luxuries.  It was a great tribute to Adam Smith.

Those are the values this country was founded on.  One person CAN make a difference.  You can teach those around you, your family, your friends timeless principles that we need to all follow once again.

All the best,

 
Tim Schmidt