The Success of Your Team Comes Down to Your Leadership

The Untold Secret to Team Leadership: 

One of my favourite business quotes comes from Jim Rohn, he claims that “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” I’m inclined to agree. The people we spend a great deal of time with cannot help but impact who we are, particularly in a business setting.

As leaders and business owners, we are growing and developing constantly, or we should be. We react to what is happening around us and who we are with, it shapes how we behave – it’s inevitable. Those we work with or bring into our inner-circle are going to affect the atmosphere and culture of our workplace, as well as us personally.

Could this be among the main reasons why top brands have rigorous recruitment processes?

If Rohn is right, then it is important that we take the time to choose those people wisely. Our success, both personal and professional, depends on it.

If we are going to be influenced by those who surround us, then it stands to reason we should make every effort to make sure those people are accomplished, hardworking and like-minded in their definition of success.

As a leader, how well you put your team together will have a far reaching impact on the rest of your business. Building a great team involves more than hiring the right people, it is also about utilising their strengths in the best possible way. Having a strong team who share your vision and purpose, who are competent and fully engaged will make your life infinitely easier.

Putting together a great team is not without its challenges. I know we have had a few bumps in the road along the way. When you have made a poor hire and for some reason or another they are not working out, and they are not likely to with training or support, then you need to let them go, sooner rather than later.

While it’s important to know your team and their strengths and weaknesses, it’s even more important to have that same insight and understanding in regards to yourself. Self-awareness is one of the strongest traits a leader can have. When you understand your own areas of strength, it becomes clear which tasks you should delegate to others, which will free up your time to focus on the areas you excel at, including leadership.

It doesn’t take long to become aware that it is your leadership that is the greatest influence on the performance of your team. It comes down to you and how you treat them. When staff members feel understood and valued for the contribution they are making, the level of engagement will naturally increase along with their job satisfaction.

The time you invest as a leader in putting together a strong team and leading them in a way that develops a strong, positive workplace culture will soon pay dividends that benefit everyone involved. You will have a fully engaged team of people who share your vision and want to achieve the goals and objectives of your business as much as you do. It’s a worthwhile investment.