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How to Enchant Employees

Guest post by: Jeff Ogden

Article Overview: In his great book, Enchantment, Guy Kawaski shares insights on his vision for gaining trust. One of the most interesting ones is "How to Enchant Employees" which we share below.

How to Enchant Employees

B2B Lead Generation | Find New Customers Jeff Ogden, President of the B2B Lead Generation consultancy, Find New Customers, is reading this great book and wishes to share a few insights below.

Here are some specific recommendations Guy makes for businesses to enchant their employees.

1. Provide a MAP
   
   Mastery – Help people improve their skills
   
   Autonomy – Don’t tell people what to do
   
   Purpose – Give people meaning
2. Empower them to do the right thing
   
   “Your best employees want to serve and delight your customers. “One easy way to enchant your employees is to empower them to do the right thing for customers.” (An Eastern Region VP at a large BI software company after I told him of a call from a very upset customer “It’s not your problem.” Is that enchantment?) Years later I tracked down the fired executive and apologized on behalf of my stupid management. This former VP was thrilled!
   
   
3. Address your (the boss’s) shortcomings first
   
   Enchanted employees are inspired and not scared. Look at yourself before you look at employees. “How many performance reviews have you ever had where your boss started by saying ‘I think I could have provided you with better management.’ (A UK search marketing firm owner believed in threatening the job security of employees – regardless of performance. Is this enchantment?)
   
   
4. Don’t Ask Employees to do Things You Would Not Do
   
   Are you willing to fly across the globe in coach? Answer ALL of your email? Come in early and stay late? Empty the trash? Make photocopies? If not, you are not enchanting.
5. Celebrate success – the right way.
   
   Winning binds the team and overcomes many failures. So you should celebrate team wins. But don’t be extravagant and awesome, but fun and cool. Touring on a bus to visit customers is cool and enchanting. Having a small software company book Jimmy Buffet to perform for a company party is extravagant. (A product content software company after an IPO)
6. Find a Devil’s Advocate
   
   Someone whose role is to argue against company decisions can be a powerful check and protection. It’s a great way to enchant.

What do you think? Do you have other examples of enchanting bosses? Or examples of non-enchanting bosses? We love comments and people who share.



“Find New Customers can certainly help your business dramatically improve the flow of sales-ready leads to salespeople.” Paul Dunay, Buzz Marketing for Technology.

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