Never Settle

For the last year I have struggled to find quality employees. Experienced ones are even harder to find. With unemployment at one of its lowest levels ever, there just doesn’t seem to be much to pick from.

Being understaffed can sometimes make you feel desperate to hire just about anybody. This past spring, I was doing just that. During my last round of hiring though, I realized that by not hiring the right people, I was dropping my company standards. I felt like I was settling and that really bothered me. When it comes to employees and business, I have always lived by the saying, “The tail doesn’t wag the dog.”

So, I decided to change what I was doing. I was not going to drop our standards, our quality, or put the company at risk any longer. Just because we were understaffed didn’t mean I was going to sacrifice our quality and high standards. While challenging, refocusing did deliver several significant benefits.

I sustained my reputation. Consistently delivering high-quality work, even when resources are scarce, helps to uphold my company’s reputation. Clients are more likely to trust and continue doing business with a company they know they can rely on for their commitment to excellence.

I mitigated my risk. Maintaining high standards reduces the risk of errors, accidents, or compliance issues that could result from subpar work. This helps to save my company from costly legal issues or damage to its reputation.

I improved employee morale. When employees see that the company is committed to quality and that their work is valued, they are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. They will also take pride in their work. I talked to my supervisors and expressed my concerns. I reminded them of our goals and values, of our commitment to producing high quality work. It starts at the top; it starts with us. And what about those hires made out of desperation? I knew that those employees who don’t share the same values, the bad apples as I call them, would surface and eventually work themselves out of a job.

While upholding high standards when understaffed can be demanding, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term challenges. Since making the decision to change, the bad apples went away, productivity increased, and our quality is back to where it should be. The stress of supervision has also eased. It’s always easier to manage employees that are motivated and engaged and want to be there.

Never settle.

~Sincerely, Dave, 2023 CLCA OC Chapter President