Entitlement in the Workplace

“When people don’t have to earn what they get, they soon take for granted what they receive.” – RJon Robins

You want to take care of your employees. You want them to feel valued, supported, and secure. But what happens when that generosity begins to create a sense of entitlement?

Could your good intentions actually be creating a problem?

A Message to Garcia

In this episode of The Exponential Entrepreneur, RJon Robins begins with a reading of A Message to Garcia, an essay by Elbert Hubbard. The reading illustrates the importance of initiative, responsibility, and getting the job done. This sets the stage for a larger conversation about what happens when employees stop taking ownership of their work and business owners stop holding them accountable.

From Entitlement to Earning

RJon follows up with a challenge for entrepreneurs to examine the workplace culture they’re creating. Are employees rewarded for their contributions and results, or simply for showing up?

A culture of accountability is not about creating fear or demanding perfection. It’s about establishing clear standards, providing the tools and training to meet them, and ultimately recognizing that performance has consequences.

Hot Seat: Respect and Trust

When asked whether it’s better to be feared or loved, RJon suggests a third option: respect and trust. He explains that employees should know their leader will make decisions in the best interests of the organization. Some of those decisions may be difficult, which is why consistent accountability and consequences play important roles in building that trust. When employees understand what is expected, have opportunities to succeed, and know their contributions matter, accountability becomes a pathway to confidence, growth, and achievement.

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