Is Your Business Out of Control?

by Dr. Vesna Grubacevic

Are you clear about your business vision, direction and goals? Is fear, second guessing and over analysis holding you back from taking action for your business? Do you wish you could regain control of your business?

Risky Business

While there are many possible risks in business, the biggest risk to your business success is you! Your lack of:

clear vision, direction and goals
effective people, communication, leadership and delegation skills
trust and follow through on your decisions and commitments
self belief and persistence in the face of challenges
effective self promotion, relationship building and networking skills
consistency in having and following systems and processes for business success
control over your emotions – instead overreacting with anger, fear, hurt, guilt, resentment, betrayal, etc
consistent focus on what you want – instead being overly anxious and worried
effective business habits – instead bad habits such as procrastination, being disorganised, etc.

From my 30 plus years of business experience I have noticed a consistent theme. Despite a business having the best systems, best-practice processes, latest gadgets, office set-up, etc, there is one thing that is critical to ensuring that these are used effectively for business success…… people!

The more effective people’s behaviour is in using all the resources and technologies in the business and the more solid and harmonious the business relationships between people, the more successful the business. You and your people are your business. Therefore, you need to have trust and solid business relationships with your employees, customers, colleagues, suppliers, partners, etc. How much do you trust the people in your business?

Whom/What Are Your Controlling?

If you are feeling out of control in business, think about whom or what are you seeking to control? Some people who feel out of control themselves, unconsciously seek to control other people. For example, by being a victim, getting angry, bullying, creating dramas, etc, they unconsciously create a dynamic where they are in control in that professional relationship. Other people who feel out of control, unconsciously seek to control things and their environment. For example, not delegating effectively, withholding information, overeating, drinking too much, etc.

At the end of the day, these people are ultimately not in control of themselves. That is the real issue. Until that is addressed, they will keep creating the same dynamics with people, things and their business and personal environment.

Control versus Influence

You are personally responsible for four things: how you think, how you feel, how you act and how you influence others. Other people are also responsible for four things: how they think, how they feel, how they act and how they influence you and others.

When you start to focus on how you can control what others say, think and do, you are focusing on what is beyond your control. Because this is beyond your control and if you seek to control it, you may feel frustrated or angry about the situation eg. sitting in bumper to bumper traffic and being unable to control the traffic or being frustrated by your colleague’s behaviour and being unable to change it.

Instead, focus on what you can control – changing your thoughts, feelings, actions, reactions and communication with other people. How could you take more charge of how you think, feel and act so that you stop over reacting and are happier and more fulfilled in business and in life? How can you improve your communication and avoid misunderstandings and conflict?

Regaining Control

The first thing to realise is that people who trust themselves, trust others and the flow of business and life. Therefore, they find no need to control other people and situations. It is only people who have trust issues that feel the need to control others and situations. These people need to learn to trust themselves first in order to trust others. Trusting yourself is the key to business success and all highly successful business people trust themselves and their decisions.

Focus on you and taking charge of how you think, feel and act so you regain control of your behaviour and your business. Address anything that prevents you from fully trusting yourself, your decisions and being in control of your thinking, feelings, actions and reactions. Also learn more effective communication and leadership skills to better inspire, motivate and empower others to perform at their best. Then watch your and your team’s performance and business grow!