In today’s competitive business world, effective leadership is more important than ever. A key element of leadership is the ability to empower employees to manage up by creating a culture of growth, trust, and self-leadership.
Mike Arce, a multi-unit Alloy franchisee and founder of Loud Rumor, is a visionary in the fitness and business world. His new book, “The Standard Is You,” offers a fresh perspective on leadership by focusing on self-leadership and how employees can take ownership of their personal growth while contributing to a thriving company culture.
In his conversation with Rick Mayo, Mike discusses his book and the revolutionary concept of “managing up”—a concept that flips the traditional power dynamics in a business environment. Instead of simply managing down to subordinates, Mike believes employees have the power to improve their leadership and themselves by learning how to “manage up” and take initiative in their roles. This not only benefits the employees but also leads to better outcomes for the business as a whole.
Book On Managing Up
Mike’s journey to writing “The Standard Is You” was born out of his extensive experience working with both entrepreneurs and employees in various business environments. Over the years, Mike has worked closely with fitness studio owners and their teams, often noticing a gap in how employees viewed their role and their potential for growth. While entrepreneurs often focused on improving themselves and their leadership skills, employees—many of whom were incredibly talented—weren’t always given the tools to take ownership of their own growth and leadership.
Through his work with clients, Mike began tailoring his messages to help employees understand their personal power within the business. He witnessed firsthand how employees could have a massive impact on a company’s success when they embraced a self-leadership mentality. The feedback he received from business owners and their staff about his seminars and talks helped him realize that many employees didn’t realize how much power they had in shaping their work environment and career path. This revelation led to the creation of his book, designed not only for business owners but also for employees, helping them unlock their potential and contribute to a thriving company culture.
The Power Of Managing Up
At the heart of Mike Arce’s philosophy is the concept of managing up—a practice in which employees take the initiative to make their leaders better. This is a powerful shift from the traditional dynamic of managing down, where leaders are expected to guide and improve their employees. Mike argues that, just as employees want better leaders, it’s essential for them to take responsibility for helping their leaders improve by offering feedback, support, and insight. Employees have the ability to influence the culture of the business through their actions and decisions.
In his book, Mike explains that the key to self-leadership is understanding that employees don’t have to wait for a leader to make them better—they can be proactive in improving their own skills, mindset, and work ethic. This mindset shift empowers employees to take ownership of their professional journey, leading to greater satisfaction, higher productivity, and, ultimately, a stronger business.
Mike encourages employees to view their role as more than just completing tasks. By managing up and proactively offering feedback to their managers, employees can build trust, increase their influence, and position themselves as essential assets within the company.
What Employees Can Gain From Managing Up
The central takeaway from Mike’s book is that employees have more power than they might think. They are not just passive participants in the company’s success—they have the ability to actively influence and improve the business through self-leadership, managing up, and contributing to the overall culture.
Key Self-Leadership Lessons
Self-Awareness and Ownership: Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their growth. Instead of waiting for someone else to tell them how to succeed, they are given the tools to manage themselves and make meaningful contributions.
- The Ability to Lead from Any Position: Mike teaches that leadership is not limited to managers or business owners. Employees can be leaders in their roles by embracing accountability and leading by example. By focusing on continuous improvement, employees can create value for both themselves and the company.
- Developing Trust: A major component of managing up is building trust. Employees are encouraged to engage in open communication, offering constructive feedback to their leaders. By doing so, they help create an environment of mutual respect and growth.
- Creating a Team-Building Culture: One of the most innovative aspects of Mike’s approach is the idea of employees reading his book and discussing it in book clubs or team-building exercises. By doing so, employees share insights, help each other grow, and work together to improve both individual and team performance.
- Limitless Potential: Perhaps the most profound aspect of the book is the idea that employees can unlock their full potential. When employees understand their role in shaping the success of the company, they no longer feel limited by their job descriptions. Instead, they are empowered to take initiative, make an impact, and lead from any position.
How Empowering Employees Leads To Business Success
While managing up is an essential concept for employees, it is also extremely beneficial for business owners and managers. By empowering employees to take leadership into their own hands, business owners create an environment of trust, collaboration, and growth. A team that can manage up is one that is engaged, motivated, and ready to contribute to the company’s success.
Mike notes that when employees feel like they have ownership over their work and career, they are more likely to stay with the company, improve their performance, and become long-term assets. This leads to better employee retention and a more stable and sustainable business. On the flip side, businesses that fail to empower their employees often face high turnover rates and disengaged teams. Mike highlights the importance of creating a workplace where employees are encouraged to take responsibility, give feedback, and contribute to the company’s goals.
By creating a culture that encourages self-leadership, employees naturally become more engaged, more motivated, and more committed to the success of the business. This translates to improved performance, happier customers, and a stronger company culture that attracts top talent.
The Impact of ‘A’ Players And Letting Go Of ‘C’ Players
A key theme in Mike’s book is the distinction between A players, B players, and C players. Mike explains that A players are essential for driving the success of the business, and it’s important for business owners to surround themselves with people who are self-motivated, driven, and invested in the success of the company.
On the other hand, C players—those who do the bare minimum and hinder the growth of the team—need to be let go. Mike explains that allowing C players to remain on the team is detrimental to the company’s culture and can cause high-performing employees to leave. If you want your team to thrive, you need to weed out the C players and make room for those who are truly committed to contributing to the business.
Mike also emphasizes that B players, those who are highly capable but still need some development, can be molded into A players through empowerment and leadership development. By offering guidance, training, and opportunities for growth, business owners can elevate their teams and create a culture of excellence.
Take The Step To Manage Up To Leadership
Mike Arce’s “The Standard Is You” is a game-changing book for employees and business owners alike. By shifting the focus to self-leadership and managing up, Mike empowers employees to take ownership of their personal growth and make a lasting impact on the company’s success. For business owners, Mike’s approach provides the tools to attract, hire, and lead the best talent, ultimately creating a thriving, high-performance culture.
If you’re an employee, this book will help you see your role in a new light and give you the tools to lead from wherever you are. If you’re a business owner, it will help you create an environment where your team is empowered to grow, lead, and contribute to the success of your company.
By unlocking the full potential of your employees, you can create a workplace where everyone is engaged, motivated, and working together toward a common goal—making your business more successful than ever before.
Additional Resources:
- Rick Mayo
- The Standard Is You Book: https://thestandardisyou.com/
- Loud Rumor: https://www.loudrumor.com/
- Behind Gym Doors by Loud Rumor Podcast: https://www.loudrumor.com/podcasts/
Podcast 299 Key Takeaways
- Intro (00:00)
- Mike’s Book for employees to empower themselves (03:28)
- Employees can be pivotal in a company’s success (05:03)
- Defining employees by their actions, not job title (07:08)
- Employees discussing Mike’s book as a team-building exercise (09:28)
- Employees must learn to lead themselves (10:10)
- Why you need to move C players out to make room for A players (22:21)
- How avoiding loss can sometimes prevent growth (29:16)
- Hiring the right people for the company culture is key (31:01)