This is a quick note to remind you fellow business owners that there is a tremendous difference between "tough and demanding" and "rude and disrespectful." Being tough and demanding is fine and is normally to be expected out of an employer, just remember not to cross the line. Keep in mind that the line is so narrow that it becomes very difficult to see after a while.
However, it is still there.
Remember that people have lives outside of the workplace. Period. People do not eat, shit, and sleep their jobs. Those that you might be quick to chastise are the real backbone of your income, not just their own. Your title may command respect in the workplace, but no more respect than what you show your subordinates.
To get respect you have to give it.
To get honest, truthful employees, you have to be honest yourself.
To get honorable employees, you have to first be honorable yourself.
To get devout, highly driven employees, you must first be driven and devout, creating a charged atmosphere within the workplace.
To get timely, "clockwork" employees, you'd best not be showing up late all the time… even if you are the company founder, owner, president, CEO or similar. If you don't care enough about your own company to show up on time and give it 110% then do not expect your employees to do any different.
If you want independent thinking employees who aren't afraid of a little extra responsibility - do not stand over them breathing down their necks seeing if they can handle it or not. A little up-front trust is needed to get the ball a rolling.
If you want to command respect, then you had best be confident in all your endeavors. Confidence is admired by nearly all civilized human beings (even those who aren't); if you walk tall your employees will look at you with pride and reverence. Important to note is that most of the time confident people are accompanied by many loyal followers. In this case the followers will be employees.
Remember that in order to be a good leader you must first know how to be a good follower. If you haven't mastered the latter, then by no means will you ever succeed at the former.
-Law
