Conversations with Agencies: The Dictator Boss

Read below… unfortunately I have had this conversation many times.

This is a transcript from memory of someone who has grown an agency to 70 people. The staff attrition is around 50%. I wonder why.

The sheer force of personality that got this business off the ground could well be its downfall. What works when you are a small agency doesn’t always work as the agency gets bigger.

As the agency grows it requires different behaviours form its leaders.

I am not saying that all leaders need to be soft and kind but being ruthless and thick-skinned may not be the answer.

If you’re interested in more content to help you grow your Digital Agency, head over to www.GYDAinitiative.com now.

Me	What keeps you awake at night about your agency?
Agency	Nothing
Me	OK. So, how’s it going?
Agency	Two directors have resigned, and I am about to sack my sales team cos they are rubbish.
Me	Why did the directors resign?
Agency	They accused me of bullying them, the soft bleep gits.
Me	So, why do you think this is happening?
Agency	Because these idiots won’t do as they are told.
Me	What did you think they would do?
Agency	At a minimum, they should be doing what I‘ve told them to do.
Me	And you called me about what?
Agency	Three people have mentioned some rubbish about emotional intelligence to me. More touchy-feely nonsense. Tell me, how can I hire people that will do what I tell them to do?
Me	Great question…