How Business Owners Should Behave like Parents

I was struck by a recent interview in The Times with Tony Little, the outgoing headmaster of Eton and author of ‘An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Education’.

Over a 35 teaching career, Tony (or should I say Mr. Little), has learned a lot about the art of boy/adolescent/man management, and many of his observations ring just as true for the business world.

Here’s one of his lists for parents…which is just as applicable for business owners.

How Parents (read Business Owners) should behave

1. Keep up regular conversations, however resistant your teenager may be

IN OTHER WORDS –  don’t neglect the customers you don’t get on with so well

2. If talking at home is a problem, try a car journey with just the two of your and no eye contact. It is surprising how much is revealed in a car!

IN OTHER WORDS – hmmm, maybe this one isn’t so applicable after all!

3. Honesty is key. Be consistent.

NO OTHER WORDS NEEDED!

4. Especially with boys, deal with one issue at a time. On no account allow yourself to be fired up and say, ‘And another thing…’ 

IN OTHER WORDS – don’t send long emails dealing with a variety of points – keep communications short and focus on 1 issue at a time.

5. Get to know your teenager’s friends

IN OTHER WORDS – get to know the circles your customers move in – business groups, sports, social media, it all helps build and inform conversations

6. Listen! 

NO OTHER WORDS NEEDED!

7. Criticise their behaviour, not them. Adolescents really need to feel loved

IN OTHER WORDS – when trying to resolve a disagreement with a customer, don’t make it personal!

Makes you think – boy management and man management are very similar skillsets.