12 Lessons from Mom that Apply to Hiring & Managing Employees [Part 2]
Mothers raise and teach their children, often instilling in them wisdom and knowledge the child will keep with him/her throughout the individual’s life. In fact, a “mother’s touch” can ultimately affect the quality of a person’s life, shaping and molding him or her and inevitably influencing his/her character. Yet, did you know this is also true in the recruiting world?
Those same words of wisdom mothers offer over the years can be applied to hiring and managing employees. In part 1 of this series we covered the first six “what Mom said” phrases. Check out the final six and how you can apply them to your recruitment and management processes :
1. “Do what you say you are going to do.”
Mom harped about the importance of honoring your commitments, whether to something big or small. Obviously, there are a lot of ways this applies to the business world. But I think one of the ways you can and should follow this is in your hiring process. Respond back to everyone who applies even if it is just to let them know you are not considering them for the position. Make sure that you outline what your hiring steps/process is with the candidates you do talk to about the job. Get back to candidates when you say you will. And be honest.
2. “Life isn’t fair.”
Ok, actually Dad said this more than Mom. It was always in response to one of us saying, “But that’s not fair!” Sometimes you have to do things you don’t feel like doing, they would tell us. Similarly, it’s hard to get into recruiting mode if you are fully staffed, yet you have to do it to keep your talent bench full. Sometimes you just aren’t in the mood to do that weekly one-on-one meeting with one of your employees, but you have to do it. The best way I’ve found to get through tasks I don’t want to do but have to, is to have some reward for myself after I do them! Just like Mom did, e.g. no T.V. until the room was clean.
3. “Say you’re sorry, and mean it.”
This is the one I usually heard after I would give a half-hearted apology to Mom, Dad, or a sibling. She knew if you weren’t really sincere and employees can tell also. If you have made a mistake or said something you shouldn’t have (that’s the one I struggle with!), own up to it right away. Go directly to the person(s) who were affected by it and apologize sincerely. A heart-felt apology goes a long way to correcting the damage of doing or saying the wrong thing.
4. “Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you should too.”
This was a variation of the “If Mary was jumping off a bridge would you want to do that too?” response to my plaintive wail of “But Mom, everyone else is…” She was trying to teach us to think for ourselves and not just follow blindly. Sometimes it’s hard to stick your neck out and voice a differing opinion from everyone else in the workplace. This is especially true if you have a boss who relishes “yes” men or women. Listen to your gut instincts and don’t follow someone or some idea just because it’s popular opinion.
5. “Is that reallythe example you want to set?”
I have a sister who is 9 years younger than I am. When I got to my teen years, I heard this one a lot. She knew that my little sister was watching and learning from her big sisters. She also knew that I wanted to be the kind of big sister that my little sister would look up to – so this was an effective deterrent for me from doing stupid things (most of the time anyway). I think this is very important in the work place as well. If you are managing employees, they take their cues from you. What you say, how you say it, and what you do are all being closely scrutinized. To be an effective leader you have to set the right example. “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t cut it with your employees.
6. “Family comes first.”
Like all great Moms, my Mom made a lot of sacrifices for her family. She always put us first, and still does. She showed us with her words and actions that while your job is very important, family always is the most important priority in your life. We should remember that for ourselves and also for our employees who have their own family responsibilities.
This post is dedicated to Jean Amber; wife of 50 years, Psychiatric Nurse for over 40 years, Mother of 3 girls who went on to have their own career successes and families, Grandmother of 7, and truly remarkable woman.