This past week, one of our salespeople quit, and in the exit interview as I was talking with him, I realized two things:

1st – He only got the next job with what he learned from me, my dad, and his 15 months at America’s Best Restaurants.  

2nd – I screwed him!  My lack of leadership in the sales department and laid-back management style will likely lead to his failure at his new gig unless he finds a gas pedal that’s eluded him for seven of the past eight months.  

After he left my office, a lot went through my mind.  

First was, “Matt, you should have fired him 3-6 months ago based on performance.

Second, his failures at ABR are 100% YOUR fault, Matt; he’s not been managed or trained to the level he should have been. 

Third, while he only got that new job due to his experience with us, his success could have been 10 times better if I’d done more for him. 

Fourth and final, “Matt, get off your ass and do what you know is right.  Become the manager every employee and leader in your company MUST have to succeed outside of the office and at their next job.”

I know what you’re thinking: that sounds strange. Someone is talking about an employee’s “Next job.”  Well, let’s face it, most of our employees will end up somewhere else in the next 5-30 years, probably many more places.  Would I love it if we could keep everyone for the rest of my career? Yes, but that’s not realistic.  I look at it this way: if I treat them that way, they’ll also be the best they can be while I have them.

And on top of that, how freaking cool would it be to look back in 30 years and see many former employees living their best lives, knowing we helped them achieve that, no matter where they are employed.  

So, with that, it’s time to expect more.  Expect MORE out of me as a manager.  Expect more from my people (see yesterday’s blog post, Day 149).

More importantly, it’s time for me to stop letting other people’s speedometers get in my way.  Because when I allow people to move slower, it only hurts them and their future. 

To make a long story short….GET READY TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE!