Ego is a Dirty Word

Do you treat your people like mushrooms?I was speaking to a firm recently where the Partners would not let their staff meet with customers. They would not let anything go out of their office without the Partners reviewing it and signing off on it. In short, they were putting a lid on their people and effectively "bonsai-ing" their growth. Unsurprisingly, they were having trouble identifying people who could develop and create a succession plan for them and their firm. There was also an issue with staff turnover.We have just been going through the Growth Curve X-ray process in our business and one of the aspects that we have identified is a deliberate "personal brand" development strategy for everyone in our business. This will see us work with each person individually and collectively to build their personal brand internally and externally. We are doing this because we have a fantastic group of people working with us and by investing in their development they and we will reap far greater satisfaction and engagement.Many Partners and managers in firms seem to be afraid of developing the people they work with from a fear that these people might actually be better or more capable than the Partner/manager. Their ego is controlling the business and stultifying the firm as a whole. Effectively, the personal "issues" of the leaders of these firms will restrict the opportunity for the firm to flourish. I view this as akin to abuse.How do you treat your people? Are you working with them to develop their "brand" under your brand and reputation? Or are you sitting on them and restricting their development?I know which approach will create a happier, healthier and more successful workplace. And it will then mean that the only mushrooms you have are in your salad or the sauce on your steak.