Hiring Smart
Lessons from The Art of War
This morning, I was reading the “Waging War” chapter of The Art of War, and one line stood out to me: “Those unable to understand the dangers inherent in employing troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways of doing so.” It made me think about a challenge many small business owners face: hiring.
Maybe you’ve had a bad experience before, or you’re worried no one will meet your standards. I’ve been there. I’ve hired people who weren’t the right fit, and it was frustrating. But I’ve also seen how the right hire can transform a business. It’s a balance, but one worth pursuing.
Avoiding hiring may feel safer, but it holds you back from building the kind of team that can help your business thrive. Let’s talk about the risks, the rewards, and practical ways to build a team that sets you up for success.
The Risks of Hiring
Fear of Hiring the Wrong Person
No one wants to make a bad hire. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating for everyone involved. Hiring mistakes often happen when expectations aren’t clear from the start.
Example: You hire your neighbor’s introverted teenager to work the counter during the Snowflake Festival. You forget to mention they’ll need to wear an elf costume and chat with customers. When the job turns out to be more festive than expected, they quit mid-shift, leaving you scrambling.
How to Address It: Reflect on why past hires didn’t work out. Did you pick someone who wasn’t right for the job? Were expectations unclear? Was the role poorly defined? Use those lessons to improve your process and ensure the next hire is better aligned.
Control Issues
It’s hard to let go of tasks you’ve been doing yourself for years. But trying to do it all limits your growth—and your sanity.
Example: During the Snowflake Festival’s busiest day, you insist on personally managing every customer order. Meanwhile, your decorator, who could be making your gingerbread cookies look amazing, is stuck waiting for your approval. Customers grow impatient, the line stretches out the door, and you’re left frazzled and overwhelmed.
How to Address It: Start small. Delegate specific, clearly defined tasks and give your team the tools they need to succeed. If they do a good job, step back. If they don’t, help them improve and give them another chance.
Financial Anxiety
Hiring is a financial commitment, and it’s natural to worry if it’ll pay off. But avoiding help when you need it most can cost you more in missed opportunities.
Example: You hesitate to hire a barista for your peppermint mocha stand, worried about the wages. Without help, customers grow tired of waiting in long lines and walk away—taking their business elsewhere.
How to Address It: Consider the opportunity cost of not hiring. Start with part-time or seasonal help to test the impact on your bottom line.
While hiring has its risks, understanding those risks allows you to manage them—and fully appreciate the incredible advantages a strong team can bring to your business.
The Advantages of Hiring
Expanding Capacity
The right hires free you to focus on the bigger picture, like growing your business or pursuing creative projects.
Example: While your assistant manages inventory and keeps the cookie supply flowing, you can work on your Snowflake Festival showpiece—a life-sized gingerbread house that becomes the star of the event.
Leveraging Diverse Strengths
Your team brings new ideas, skills, and perspectives that can elevate your business.
Example: You hire a decorator who specializes in hand-painted snowflake designs. Suddenly, your sugar cookies are transformed into beautiful holiday treats that customers can’t resist. It’s something you wouldn’t have the time or skill to do yourself.
Sharing the Load
A reliable team means you’re not stuck doing everything. You can step back when you need to, knowing the business will run smoothly.
Example: With a dependable front-of-house team managing the counter, you can attend the town’s tree-lighting ceremony with your family for the first time in years, knowing your bakery is in good hands.
Overcoming the Fear of Hiring
Start Small
You don’t have to dive in headfirst. Start with part-time or seasonal help.
Example: Hire a holiday assistant to assemble gift baskets and run the counter during the Snowflake Festival. This gives you a feel for how extra help impacts your workload without a long-term commitment.
Clarify Roles and Expectations
The clearer you are about what you need, the easier it is to find the right fit.
Example: Instead of vaguely saying, “We need help in the bakery,” create a detailed description: “Manage pre-orders, assemble gift boxes, and keep the counter running smoothly during the Snowflake Festival.”
Focus on Fit, Not Just Skills
A hire who aligns with your values and work style is often more valuable than one with a perfect résumé.
Example: You hire a high school student with a bright smile and a love for holiday traditions, even if they’ve never worked a register. Their enthusiasm for decorating cookies and chatting with customers brings a warmth that fits perfectly with your bakery’s festive atmosphere.
Set Boundaries for Autonomy
Empower your team to make decisions within limits so they can act quickly without waiting for approval.
Example: If a customer complains about smudged frosting on their Snowflake Festival cupcake, your team can offer a quick $5 discount or a complimentary treat without needing your approval. This keeps the line moving and ensures the customer leaves happy.
Provide Training and Support
A well-trained team operates confidently and independently, reducing the need for constant oversight.
Example: Spend an afternoon with your holiday assistant, walking them through the gift box assembly line. Label each station—cookies, tissue paper, ribbons, and tags—turning the process into something they can master quickly and enjoy doing.
Step Back—But Stay Involved
Check in regularly to ensure everything stays on track, but give your team room to do their jobs.
Example: Your head baker handles the daily schedule, but you meet weekly to review orders, track progress, and address any issues that arise.
Practical Steps to Build Your Team
Here’s a quick checklist to help you take the first step toward building your team this week:
- Evaluate Your Needs: Write down the tasks taking up the most time or energy. These are the best opportunities for hiring.
- Start Small: Test the role with part-time or seasonal help to minimize risk.
- Clarify Roles: Create a job description outlining responsibilities, expectations, and how success will be measured.
- Set Decision-Making Boundaries: Empower your team to make small decisions independently while reserving larger ones for your input.
- Onboard Thoughtfully: Train new hires thoroughly and provide the tools they need to succeed.
The Right People Can Transform Your Business
Hiring isn’t without challenges, but the rewards of building a strong team far outweigh the risks. This week, take a small but meaningful step toward building your team. Whether it’s hiring a holiday assistant to help with gift baskets or finding a decorator who can bring your cookie designs to life, every hire is an opportunity to make your business—and your life—just a little brighter this season. The right people, in the right roles, can help your bakery shine long after the Snowflake Festival lights have gone out.
