Business is a brutal game, and when the odds aren't in your favor, it's tempting to blame others.
But blaming employees, partners and outside forces for your company's struggles is detrimental to the business, according to Marcus Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur and star of CNBC's "The Profit."
On the latest episode of the show, which aired on Tuesday, Lemonis conveyed that message to Michael Fleming, CEO of debt-ridden Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. When asked how the business had gotten itself into financial trouble, Fleming partly blamed his business partner.
"Your job as the CEO of this business is to be the coach," Lemonis told Fleming. "Rather than running people under the bus, you've got to get them on the bus with you."
Farrell's had nearly $2 million in debt and seemed to be out of options, so Lemonis invested $750,000 in exchange for a 51 percent stake in the business. As part of his revitalization plan, he wanted to iron out any interpersonal issues.
"I'm confident that Mike has a good heart and his intentions are in the right place, but I'm not sure he knows what to do," Lemonis said. "Because of that, what he does is ultimately points figures at everybody else, and that's not going to work."
The CEO admitted that insecurity was a big part of why he pointed figures. And, as the episode progressed, he appeared to trust his business partner more and embrace the new plan for the company.
"A CEO has one job, and that's to lead and communicate," Lemonis said.
