So many business owners get frustrated because they feel like their employees are freeloading—or just lazy throughout the day. And the more we talk about this, the more we realize that many people think it has to do with generations.
Does it?
I’m not sure.
Hey, it’s Scott Beebe with Business On Purpose, and I’m super excited to talk with you about this topic because we were just in Providence, Rhode Island last week at JLC Live, doing a couple of talks and workshops. One of the big questions that came up was this exact issue with employees. And our simple response was:
Is it your employees… or is it you?
You might think millennials are lazy trophy collectors. Or that Gen Zers are phone-addicted and directionless. But I think it might be a little different. And there’s another question we need to be asking.
Before I go any further, make sure you go to businessonpurpose.com/healthy to take the Healthy Business Assessment. It’ll help you understand the backend clarity of your business—which is exactly what we’re diving into today.
The Real Question: How Do You Capture Their Attention?
Instead of just asking, “Are they lazy?”, maybe we need to ask, “Why are they lazy?” and “How do you capture their attention?”
In today’s modern world, attention is one of the most valuable currencies we have. Time and attention are irrevocable resources—once spent, you cannot get them back.
Lead Well.
If you're looking for more resources to work ON your business, we have them.
If you want to capture the attention of any generation—not just the younger ones we often blame, but even the older ones like me and above—there’s one key element you need to focus on.
Here’s your silver bullet. You ready? Write this down.
It’s one word. Starts with a C:
Clarity.
Why Clarity Is the Antidote to Chaos
Employees crave clarity more than anything else—more than money, perks, or benefits. But many organizations make the mistake of waiting to provide clarity until after a new hire starts.
That approach is completely backwards.
Clarity should be present from the very beginning—even before day one. Your hiring process is a preview of what potential employees can expect if they come to work with you. If it’s chaotic or non-existent, guess what they’re going to assume?
They’re going to assume that their experience working with you will be chaotic and disorganized, too.
The same goes for your onboarding process. Many companies either don’t have a structured onboarding plan or, if they do, it’s all over the place. That lack of clarity causes new employees to start looking for their next job on day one.
Now of course, they’re not going to walk out on their first day—but they’re already thinking about leaving.
Some organizations even pride themselves on the “throw them to the wolves” approach with new hires. And then they wonder why nobody wants to work anymore.
But that’s not the real issue.
Young adults do want to work—it’s part of human nature. What they don’t want is to work in chaos.
Options Have Changed. So Must Leadership.
Thirty, forty, fifty years ago, there weren’t a lot of options. You just went to work—wherever you could find work. But today? People have choices.
As business owners and leaders, it’s our job to provide clarity as the antidote to chaos. This doesn’t mean coddling employees or lowering your expectations. It means creating an environment where people understand what’s expected of them and how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
Your mission plays a huge role in that.
When you provide clarity, your team is more likely to not just show up, but to bring their best effort every day. They’ll be motivated to give what Chick-fil-A calls their “full-time best effort”—because they understand what they’re working for and why it matters.
Clarity Builds Commitment
Clarity is not just about task lists and job descriptions. It’s about creating a transparent, well-structured, even vulnerable environment where people can thrive.
When you prioritize clarity from the start, you’re setting the stage for engaged, committed employees who are ready to contribute their best work.
So ask yourself—and your team:
Where are we not providing clarity?
- Before we start hiring?
- During the hiring process?
- In our onboarding process?
- For our current team members?
Get together and work through that. Because clarity at every level is what makes the difference between disengaged, drifting employees and those who are dialed in and driven.
Take the Next Step
Want something tangible to implement right now? Take the Healthy Business Assessment at businessonpurpose.com/healthy.
Also, check out our new book, The Chaos Free Contractor. It’s not just for contractors—it’s a powerful resource for any business owner who’s ready to ditch the chaos and lead with clarity. You can grab a copy on our website or find it on Amazon.
Let’s build clarity into your business—on purpose.
Scott Beebe is the founder of Business On Purpose (mybusinessonpurpose.com) and speaker for the AEC industry and author of the book Let Your Business Burn: Stop Putting Out Fires, Discover Purpose, and Build a Business That Matters. Business On Purpose works with business owners to articulate purpose, people, process, and profit to liberate owners from chaos and make time for what matters most.
