If you have been lucky enough to encounter generous people, you understand they have a unique gift for garnering the respect and admiration of individuals around them. When you are a leader, having a positive relationship with the people who follow you is a huge asset you cannot put a price on.
In the construction business, generosity and helpfulness are two fundamental traits that can make a business successful. When contractors are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others, it creates a sense of community and fosters growth and success for everyone involved. Additionally, when contractors are generous with their time, resources, and even their finances, it can significantly impact the success of other businesses and individuals.
Increasing your generosity can improve your effectiveness and contentment if you seek to become a better leader. Here are a few things you can begin doing to increase your generosity.
1. Fully understand the benefits of being a generous person.
Being generous because you know it is the right thing to do and being generous because it is something you value are two different things. If you want your generosity to be compelling, it must come from a place of sincere care and concern for those you lead. Being generous to others not only lowers their anxiety and increases their appreciation for you, but it also adds to your happiness and health.
2. Look for moments to be grateful.
Being grateful could be as simple as sending a brief, personal thank-you email when the occasion arises. You do not need to create a large display or spend much money to make people feel valued. Simply watch for positive behavior in others, and when you see it, make a mental note to acknowledge it and express your gratitude.
3. Find opportunities to give back to your community.
Depending on your resources and the capacity to lead others, the extent of your reach may vary, but don't let that stop you from finding ways to give back to your community. Most homeless shelters have standing requests for donations of socks, bottled water, coats, and blankets. Speak to your company to gauge their interest and help organize a supply drive or fundraiser to give back to your community. When the people you lead see you being generous, it displays your character and often increases their respect for you.
4. Become more hopeful.
Naturally generous people are often idealists. They perceive how the world around them should be and believe in the goodness of people. Becoming an optimist could be a struggle if you are naturally pessimistic, but it is not insurmountable. Next time a challenge arises on the team you are leading, go above and beyond to believe the best in others and trust that the outcome will be positive even when it may not look that way on the surface.
5. Look for opportunities to trust others.
Trusting others may not seem like a quality of a generous person; however, one of the most remarkable ways you can be generous with others is by trusting them enough to allow them to take the lead on things that matter to them. Trust their ideas and, more importantly, their ability to complete the task. When you loosen your grip as a leader and trust the people around you to do what needs to be done, they will see you as a more trustworthy, generous leader.
There are many ways to express generosity toward others. When you look for opportunities to be more understanding and helpful, the people you lead will feel more secure following you. A leader needs to gain trust and respect; one of the best ways to do that is by being generous as often as possible!
And what's the most generous thing you can do for yourself? Hire help!
If you're like most construction business owners, there are never enough hours in the day to complete every task on your list.
Often, you must prioritize what you need to do right now – deal with a client, estimate a project, attend an event – and what you know you should do for the ongoing growth of your business.
It sounds simple, but many entrepreneurs' self-sufficient, independent nature can make it difficult to get comfortable delegating responsibility. Finding the right people to relieve the burden of doing everything all the time is the only way a business can scale and reach its potential.
Think carefully about how you spend your days. Are you still at the point where you want to – or need to – do it all? The ultimate success of any company is to reach the point where it can run without you so you can enjoy a holiday, pass the business on to a family member, or sell it. Start outsourcing the tasks you like the least - it could be managing your online presence or bookkeeping, for instance, so you can spend more days with the things that matter and the people you love the most.
Final thoughts
Developing new business habits takes time and commitment – but the payoff is well worth it! Generosity can help you become a better construction business owner. It means going above and beyond what is expected of you and being kind and empathetic toward your employees, clients, the community, and yourself. When you approach your business with generosity, you create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity, better client relationships, and a positive reputation within the industry.
So, if you're a contractor looking to positively impact your community and build strong relationships with others in the industry, consider being generous and helpful whenever possible. It may lead to tremendous success and satisfaction in the long run.
PS
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About The Author:
Sharie DeHart, QPA, co-founded Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on managing the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com
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