Remove the Bite from Top Dogs for Sustained Success

December 2006

Small businesses are the lifeblood of American industry, and small business owners are the driving force behind their innovation and success. Through intelligence, tenacity and sheer force of personality, these business leaders achieve growth by single-handedly driving home their vision and insisting on its achievement.

If not managed properly, action-oriented small business leaders can be betrayed by the very top-dog personalities that initially brought them success. When a company has achieved a peak level of growth under a strong-willed founder, a shift in management style is necessary for growth and innovation to continue. Here are a few ways “top dogs” can remove some of their bite:

Ratchet Down the Micromanaging
It’s in the blood of many business owners to throw themselves headlong into every aspect of their company’s operations. At a certain point, however, such micromanagement limits the owner’s ability to generate new business and otherwise focus on big-picture ideas – the strength of the top dog.

Steadily increasing the level of independence of top managers within an organization is an important step in its growth. Top-dog owners may need to be pulled kicking and screaming from lording over certain areas of their company’s operations, but it’s a must for any semblance of growth.

Cultivate New Leaders
As hard as it is for top-dog leaders to relinquish control over areas of their business, it can be equally as difficult to identify and cultivate new leadership within the company. This can be a delicate task; capable employees will push for more responsibility, while top dogs stubbornly refuse.

It’s what happens when these forces come to a head that can determine the direction of the company. A top-dog owner who recognizes the value of good talent will grudgingly accept their transition to a mentor for future leadership. Good talent will otherwise escape in droves if they believe they will always be under the thumb of the top-dog owner.

New tricks for the New Year
Altering your management style is not an overnight process. But if you see some of these characteristics in yourself or your company’s leadership, now is a great time to begin the transition from “my way” to “our way”. The New Year is a great time to begin pushing the “pups” into more prominent roles in your organization.

What Grow Sales Can Do For You
For more than ten years, Grow Sales Inc., has been helping graphic arts companies like yours grow their businesses. Our mix of outbound marketing, public relations, web and graphic design services keeps you in front of customers and prospects regularly. You can also trust your Grow Sales advisors to give you straightforward assessments of your business. Contact us anytime to see what we can do for you.

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