Why Starbucks and BBQs Almost Destroyed My Team

Featured: Bedros Keuilian - CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp

Let's talk about something that's easy to overlook: leadership.

We all want to be liked, right? But when you're the boss, chasing popularity can backfire.

Bedros Keuilian shared a story that perfectly illustrates this:

I used to be the guy that was obsessed with having my team like me to the point where I couldn't give them critical feedback because I didn't want to sound like a jerk.

I would buy my team Starbucks and invite them over for barbecues all the time because I wanted to be their friend.

I still do team-building fun stuff, but in the early days of FBBC, I didn't know how to be a real leader. My team members took advantage of this and didn't put in their best work. Why? Because I rewarded them before they put in the work.

Ultimately, I decided to make a change: I would set the tone for my team.

Step one was to raise my own personal standards; I stopped staying up late and coming to the office groggy and stressed out. I stopped emotionally reacting to bad news and trained myself to respond with a plan of action.

I also trained myself to become a better communicator.

Once I became an example my team could follow, I earned their trust and the right to raise my standards for them, too.

Today, I expect world-class service. I expect my team members to give me more than I ask for. And I expect each one of them to be a grade A team player.

When they hit the 'grade A' mark, I reward them with raises, unrivaled retirement benefits, and healthy bonuses.

With each of these perks, I explain to each team member specifically what they've done to add value to the business and why they deserve their rewards. I also show them a path to the next step in their advancement. Once they know that I reward hard work, they give me their best 24/7.

Here's the takeaway: Clear expectations = clear results.

If you don't set a high standard for yourself and your team, don't expect much in return. Leadership isn't about being liked—it's about being respected.

Start by clarifying what you want. Communicate it clearly. Reward the right behavior.

It's not complicated, but it does require discipline. And it's the key to turning an okay team into a world-class one.

Until next time,

Daniel Mighty