May 24, 2024
Most people understand that running a business isn't just achieved through having a great product or service. It's also about managing people to help serve a system beyond you, which allows people to organise and do more than they could alone. For many, this can be tricky. For those not naturally inclined towards social interaction, it can seem impossible.
But does that mean you can't run a successful business if you're not a "people person"? Not necessarily. It might be more challenging, but there are ways to make it work, and after all, huge industries have been built on the genius of people who preferred standing away from the camera.
However, the harsh truth is, being good with people can make your job a lot easier. It helps with everything from negotiating deals to managing staff, or even learning to disagree more capably without causing lasting damage. But how can you do all this if the idea of managing people feels like becoming a new person entirely? Let’s consider that, below:
Just because you're not a social butterfly doesn't mean you don't have other worthwhile skills people need. Perhaps you're great at strategy, or you have an insight for solving complex problems. Maybe you’re just in love with the work and your industry - that’s a great place to start. These skills are just as important in running a business, arguably more so compared to just charming people and nothing else.
This will help you fit into an area you can express yourself more easily. For instance, if you're more comfortable with numbers than people, you might be fantastic at financial planning or data analysis. Then you can align with partners who may be the face meeting clients. Sometimes, you just have to let your work speak for itself.
Of course, one solution is to hire staff who are good at talking. Consider looking for employees or partners who have strong interpersonal skills, as they can handle the more social aspects of the business while you focus on other areas.
This doesn't mean you should completely avoid interaction, though, like a hidden grandmaster in a cave. It's still important to keep some level of involvement with your team and clients, yet having people on your side who are naturally good at building relationships can take a lot of pressure off you.
An option that many business owners find helpful is to outsource HR. This can take a lot of the people management off your plate, leaving you free to focus on the areas of the business you're most comfortable with but without having no support in place for your staff.
Just because you’re not good at it now doesn’t mean you can’t be. As you settle into the business and hire people you expect to improve with time, challenging yourself to do so is also a worthwhile approach. This way, you can avoid limiting yourself as someone who is never comfortable in front of a camera to someone who can be. Just think of how individuals like Bill Gates were once quite awkward, but can now command a room. You can get there too, even if you’re not close to it yet.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to run a business without being a people person - for now at least.
