Around this time of year, many families love sitting down to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” For those who aren’t familiar, this particular Christmas tale has some very important messages to broadcast. And the truth is: we, as entrepreneurs and small business owners, can even learn a lot from our favorite “lovable loser”. Here are five things to keep in mind as you build a thriving business!
- Money shouldn’t be your #1 priority.
“Boy, what a sound! How I love the sound of clinking money! That beautiful sound of cold hard cash! Nickels, nickels, nickels! That beautiful sound of clinking nickels!” – Lucy van Pelt
Don’t get me wrong, money is very important in growing a successful business, but it’s not the most important aspect. Sometimes, the need for financial success can cloud one’s judgement. Remember: you have clients relying on your attention. The most important part of any business is your client-base. If you cultivate positive client relationships from the beginning… you will not only see monetary success in the future, but you will also have clients that trust and have faith in you!
- Promote a nurturing and supportive working environment for your employees.
“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” – Linus van Pelt
A good business always starts with a solid team – and that team needs a leader who cares. You are only as successful as your least successful teammate. If you create an openly supportive work environment, your employees will feel more comfortable trying to learn and improve themselves – under your wing. A beloved leader is a successful leader!
- Don’t be critical… Empower!
“You’ve been dumb before, Charlie Brown, but this time, you really did it.” – Lucy van Pelt
S*** happens! If something goes wrong – business wise – don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Your clients and employees will respect you 100% more if you choose to be a positive influence and inspire them, rather than critique and condemn them. There are ways to reprimand while still empowering the people you work with to aspire to be better. Before you get hot-headed and say things that might ruin a relationship, think about how you can improve a bad situation by lending a helping hand. Your employees and clients look up to you. You set the example.
- Keep an open mind!
“Don’t think of it as dust. Think of it as maybe the soil of some great past civilization. Maybe the soil of ancient Babylon. It staggers the imagination. He may be carrying soil that was trod upon by Solomon, or even Nebuchudnezzar.” – Charlie Brown
As a leader, it’s important to learn how to be flexible. You should always have a solid plan and reliable tactics; but what happens when you’re thrown a curve ball? Are you the type of person who can find a creative solution to your company’s problems, or do you get stuck in the mud when things don’t go as planned? If it’s the latter – you may want to think about how this may potentially hold your company back from reaching its full potential.
- Going against the grain sets you apart – in a good way!
“You were supposed to get a *good* tree. Can’t you even tell a good tree from a poor tree?” – Lucy van Pelt
In the business world, a unique idea will make you more successful in the long run. Whether it’s the base idea for your company, or even a marketing plan that isn’t what you might normally see. If you take the chance, it will most likely pay off. It can be scary to do something different, but take the leap. As a leader – the worst thought is the “I wish I had done that…” thought.