The secret of my success

Better together. (Image by Frank Magdelyns)

I’ll just tell you right at the top: The secret of my success is my employees.

Bringing other people into my business has made it possible for me to create something bigger than myself, which in turn makes it possible for me to spend my time building the next thing (or just enjoying life).

I can illustrate what I’m talking about with simple math. If I have six employees each working 30 hours a week, they are collectively working 180. That is more time than there is in a week, so I literally couldn’t do it without them.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars flow through my businesses every year to pay my employees. The work we do sustains more than just my own family.

It’s hard to talk about, though, because the employer/employee relationship is fraught. Many people think of employees as modern serfs, and in many cases they are.

It’s rare that anyone considers the potential for a mutually satisfying, mutually beneficial collaboration. Instead, we have these familiar archetypes: There’s the boss, trampling on the staff’s personal lives and sense of self. And there are the underlings, trying to get away with giving as little as possible in order to bring their contributions closer into line with their compensation, desperate for something better but knowing from experience that it’s not worth the hassle.

So if I talk about how much I rely on and appreciate my employees, it comes off as patronizing, like the queen acknowledging her subjects. Or you might wonder if sharing my appreciation is a way of justifying low pay, like the diners who thank their server profusely and then leave only a ten percent tip on the table. Or maybe it seems a little self-aggrandizing, like, “Look at me! Look how powerful I am! I have a team.”

Most people have never had employees. It’s not very relatable. Whenever I’ve Googled topics related to employee management, the results are always from the perspective of the employee.

In order to find out how to manage people effectively as a small business owner, you either have to adapt advice meant for corporate types or ask people who have done it. And the majority of the people who have done it are still doing it the old way: try to have as few employees as possible, but if you have to deal with them, keep them at arm’s length, make sure they don’t steal from you, and don’t give them any more than you have to.

It’s a paternalistic approach that borrows liberally from the educational system and the prison complex (which in America are dangerously similar anyway).

There is a different way, one that reflects the fact that each person on the team is an adult who has valuable contributions to make. One that is humane and generous, offering room for mistakes and growth.

But that’s hard to talk about, too, because I am immediately vulnerable to criticism about all the ways in which I haven’t done what I’m talking about. After all, I’ve been an employer since 2009 or so, and I’ve made a ton of mistakes along the way. I still make mistakes. Even with the best of intentions, I’ve hurt people. I do my best, but I still have a long way to go.

It’s true, though: I have the life that I have because of my employees. I have flexibility and freedom in my work schedule. Together, we have the ability to serve hundreds of clients that I would never be able to serve on my own. They are my collaboration partners and idea generators. I rely on their creativity, loyalty, skills, and insight every day.

As a bonus, I have gained lifelong friends. That’s not a requirement of the position, but it’s been wonderful.

I understand why people don’t want the hassle of dealing with payroll taxes and sick leave and all that. Having employees is a lot of work. But for me, it has been completely worth it, and I’m gaining the confidence to speak up and say so.

And for my employees, past and present, who might be reading this: Thank you. You are the reason I can do what I do. You are the reason for my success, and I don’t want that to be a secret.