By: Mitch Reitman, Reitman Consulting
I see articles and presentations about what keeps company owners awake at night and it made me thing of a piece ten years ago. In the time since, we have weathered an international pandemic that caused shutdowns and financial stress. The article addressed the importance of financial people but it still applies to every aspect of your business. Be sure to hire the right people to manage your business so that you can “sleep through a storm.”
Hiring the Right People Matters
Many of my clients involve me in the hiring process for financial personnel. I am always glad to help and the process reminds me of a story in the book Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom, In the book, he quotes from sermons by Rabbi Albert Lewis
Sam the farmer needed a helper, but he wanted to be sure he got a good one, so he asked the applicant “What can you do?”
The reply, “I can sleep through a storm,” didn’t make sense and sounded as though the man might be a little on the “cracked” side. Repeated questions brought on the same answer, calm and direct, “I can sleep through a storm.” Sam was desperate for a helper, so he hired the man on a trial basis.
Trusting People to Handle the Storm
In the weeks that followed, Sam was to find that the helper was the best worker he had ever seen. Whatever needed doing got done, and done well, and consequentially both men were pleased with the arrangement. The farmer was willing to forget that his hired man talked a little “peculiar” when asked what he could do.
Then one night came “the” storm. Lightning had been flickering on the horizon when they went to bed, but when the farmer awoke at about midnight; the storm was almost on them. He quickly pulled on his clothes and went to the hired man’s room to wake him up so that together they could prepare the farm to withstand the storm which included seeing that the doors were closed, the tractor covered, the livestock inside, and a number of other things.
Pound as he might on helper’s door, there was no response, and farmer angrily went rushing out to put the place in shape while muttering about his stupidity in hiring a man you couldn’t waken when you needed him most, resolving to fire him in the morning.
When the farmer got to the barn, all the doors were already closed, the tractor was indoors, the livestock were all bedded down; everything was all set. As he slowly undressed after his unnecessary trip around the farm in the rain, he did at last knew what his hired man had meant by “I can sleep through a storm.” The helper did his work so well, so thoroughly, that he did not need to worry in the time of storm. He knew that everything was right.
Apply the Lesson to Your Business
When hiring, it is important to select people who can “sleep through a storm.” I see companies that have a hard time in good weather and are not prepared in the least for the storm. If your accounting, billing, and bookkeeping personnel have a hard time with month end and year end information gathering and reporting, consider the fact that they may be struggling with their day-to-day duties.
Whether for accounting, operations, sales, or any other function that is crucial to the operation of your organzaton, hire your people and keep them trained, so that all of you can “sleep through the storm.”
For more than 25 years, Mitch Reitman has been actively involved in local, state and national security trade associations and has held leadership roles on boards with ESA and AIREF. An active member of several local and national associations, he serves on the board of Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation, and several others. He has also worked with TBFAA and local associations to set up and administer a scholarship program for children of public safety officers. He was honored as TBFAA’s 2019 Person of the Year.
https://www.security-world.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What does “sleep through a storm” mean in a business context?
It refers to hiring and training people who can manage responsibilities independently and effectively, even during periods of high stress or unexpected challenges. - Why is this principle important for financial personnel?
Financial staff who are competent and proactive ensure accurate reporting, consistent operations, and prevent crises, enabling owners to focus on strategic decisions. - Does this advice apply beyond finance roles?
Yes, the principle applies to operations, sales, IT, and any crucial business function where reliability and foresight are essential. - How can business owners identify candidates who can “sleep through a storm”?
Look for people with proven experience managing complex tasks, calm under pressure, proactive problem-solving skills, and a track record of consistency. - What are the long-term benefits of hiring staff who can handle high-stress situations?
It creates stability, allows leaders to focus on growth, reduces operational errors, improves customer satisfaction, and builds a resilient company culture.