The Leadership Gap

You are the reason you can’t find good help

By Brent Knott

In today's rapidly evolving workforce, many entrepreneurs and business owners echo the sentiment, "These kids just don't work like they used to." But is this really the case? I believe it's time to challenge this mindset and examine what's happening beneath the surface. The talent is out there; it's just harder to attract because the landscape has changed—and so should our approach. I often find myself engaging with fellow entrepreneurs who lament their difficulties in finding good help. My first question to them is always: "What are you doing to attract the right talent?" After all, finding toptier talent isn't about luck. It's about making yourself and your business attractive enough for the people you want to work with.

Think about it like dating. If you’re out of shape, unfit, and not taking care of yourself, you’re unlikely to attract the kind of partner you desire. The same principle applies in the workplace. If you’re not investing in yourself, your culture, and your vision, why would someone talented want to dedicate their non-refundable time to your mission? As business owners, we have to ask ourselves what makes us, and our businesses, unique enough to attract and retain the best talent.

The Importance of Getting Healthy - Inside and Out

When I weighed 300 pounds and lived off fast food, I wasn’t the best version of myself. I was lucky to have a solid team around me, but looking back, I realize that I wasn’t truly honoring myself or my business. And if I couldn’t take care of myself, how could I take care of them?

The moment I committed to improving my health, everything started to change—not just physically but mentally. I began running, sticking to a routine, and holding myself accountable. I showed my team through actions, not just words, that I could set goals and achieve them. This newfound discipline permeated every aspect of my business. It wasn't long before my team began to believe in my vision because I was embodying the leadership and discipline that I expected from them.

As leaders, if we can take care of our health— both physically and mentally—we can better inspire and lead those around us. People want to follow leaders who are driven, disciplined, and authentic. Simply put, if you want your team to believe in you and your vision, you have to lead by example.

I’ve gone to extremes of completing 50mile Ultra and 100-mile Ultra running events, I included my leadership in crewing me on these events and I can tell you the camaraderie created from it is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. They saw me at my lowest lows and I continued to progress. It's almost as if it was an example that I would never give up on their goals or mine.

Creating Opportunities: The Power of Delegation

In my business and our industry, I’ve learned that holding onto old responsibilities can hinder the growth of both my team and me. If I’m still holding a squeegee and wrapping cars 10 years into the business, how can I expect my employees to envision a career path beyond that? Young employees today want to see growth, opportunity, and leadership in action.

That’s when I had a paradigm shift: If I’m holding onto the squeegee, I’m robbing my employees of the opportunity to grow. Delegating tasks and trusting your team with important responsibilities is essential for their development. It’s not just about showing them the steps to success—it’s about stepping aside and giving them the room to climb that ladder.

Showcasing Your Culture and Vision

The truth is, that most of the best talent is already employed somewhere else. If you're waiting until the last minute to hire, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage. To attract top talent, you have to make your company stand out, not just in terms of the work you do but in the culture and environment you create.

Employees want to feel seen, heard and appreciated. They want to work for a company that offers a clear path to advancement and invests in their growth. At my shop, we offer a "Road to 100k" for our installers—a clear, performance-based roadmap that shows them exactly how they can progress in the company and achieve their financial goals.

This approach has worked wonders. By having a clear plan and a well-defined culture, we attract people who want to be a part of something bigger. We’re not just hiring workers; we’re building a team of individuals who believe in our mission and see a future with us.

Hiring is a Skill and is Often Overlooked

Finding the right talent isn't a matter of chance. It's a skill that takes time, effort, and a proactive approach. One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is waiting until they need someone to start hiring. By then, it’s often too late. The best candidates might not be looking for work at that exact moment, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there.

At my company, we keep our job listings active year-round, whether we’re hiring or not. This way, we can build a pipeline of potential candidates and stay on top of the talent market. And when the right person comes along, we're ready for them.

Another key part of our hiring process is using personality assessments, like the DISC profile, to filter out candidates who aren’t a good fit. This helps us avoid wasting time on interviews with people who don’t have the right temperament for the role. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline our hiring process and ensure we’re only bringing on people who will thrive in our culture.

Proactive Leadership: Shaping the Future Workforce

The days of saying "Kids these days don't want to work" are over. The reality is that today’s workforce has different expectations—and it’s our job as leaders to meet them. We need to show them what’s possible and give them a reason to choose us over the competition. It’s not just about offering a paycheck; it’s about offering a career path, a positive work environment, and the opportunity for growth.

In conclusion, if you’re struggling to find good help, it’s time to take a step back and assess your leadership. Ask yourself: What makes my company attractive? Am I creating real opportunities for growth? Am I leading by example? When you can answer these questions confidently, you’ll find that the talent is out there— you just need to position yourself to attract it.

Brent Knott Owner, Design it Wraps & Graphics