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You are a Faithful Sidekick if…
You are warm, dependable, good-natured, structured, methodical, systems-oriented, open-minded, consistent, persistent, level-headed, pragmatic, objective, sincere and empathetic team players. Like Comedians, Faithful Sidekicks are people-oriented, but unlike “Comedians”, are more introverted and less emotional. Where Comedians are driven by having fun and attaining social recognition drives, Sidekicks are driven by the need for security, stability and belonging. Sidekicks need to see how they fit into the inner workings of a franchise and what role they will play. Resistant to change, they make slow, informed, and emotionally agonizing decisions about whether or not to start a business. Having a natural tendency to “play not to lose” rather than “playing to win,” they seek to eliminate risk and miss opportunities in the process. They are known to be highly detailed, organized, slow-paced, and patient. Having the gift of objectivity, they can see both sides of an issue. They are the best listeners and the easiest to get along with of all the four characters. Since they are introverted and prefer a predictable environment, they are often seen as timid, possessive, risk-averse and resistant to change.
Your value in business
- You are very objective and you can see all sides of issues. You make level-headed and carefully thought out business decisions.
- You are very methodical and process driven. No one has probably ever accused you of being a rebel. You will spend more time memorizing a franchisors operations manual than trying to rewrite it…which will be welcomed by most franchisors.
- You function well within a structured environment. You will follow the franchise system as it was written.
- You have great listening skills and a good memory.
- You are empathetic and people like you.
- You are a team player and an excellent team builder. Members of your team see their own value.
- You are a communicator. You keep others in the loop.
- You are a servant leader. Customers will go away satisfied and happy.
- Easy to talk to, relate to.
- You are highly analytical and you will study the numbers and performance criteria of a business.
- You are very persistent and consistent. Once you tap into the “winning hand” of a business, you will play that hand again and again, without getting bored or feeling like you have to change it.
- You know how to build quality relationships with your customers, employees and franchisor.
- You have strong customer skills or aptitudes. Being good at soliciting feedback, you will listen to your customers needs.
- You are a “steady Eddie,” and your business will function with precision.
What will kill you if you aren’t careful.
- You struggle with multi-tasking. You like to do one thing at a time and complete tasks before you start the next one. Unfortunately, small businesses are typically not linear and everyday new stuff happens. You have to be able to change your daily action plan on the fly, which doesn’t play into your strengths.
- You experience a high degree of fear of the unknown. Fear can sometimes paralyze you. You have to learn how to walk with fear as a companion much in the same way a recovering alcoholic walks with urges to drink but doesn’t act on them. You will need to learn not to make fear mean anything or allow it to stop you from plowing forward.
- You have high security and stability needs and are uncomfortable in ambiguity. In business, you will face many ambiguous moments requiring you to assume more risk than you are comfortable facing.
- You need time alone to decompress. You may find it hard to decompress.
- You prefer a slow paced environment. The goal in business however, is to create a fast paced environment where the cash register is ringing constantly.
- You can be overly persistent and possessive. You have to learn that there are times to cut and run.
- You are quiet and diplomatic. With most franchisors, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you aren’t receiving the support you need, you will need to overcome your natural tendency to avoid a conflict and either get loud and angry like an Action Hero or get up on your soap box and preach like the Comedian. Franchisors of course don’t like this, but many franchisees do this because it works.
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