It’s time to make the critical shift from leading the business by yourself to leading an organization of people. At P2Excellence, we help you navigate the uncharted territories of organizational growth with clarity and confidence.
Earlier this year, we began a Leadership Journey. I am committed to asking you tough questions about your leadership, because I know you take your responsibility seriously and you want to bring your best self to the job of leading. The world has always needed strong leaders – it’s leadership that creates vision and opportunity. And then does the hard work to make it all materialize. It’s not easy, and there are often mistakes – but you, my friend, continue to commit to taking the next step with your eyes focused on the future.
As a high impact leader, you're constantly navigating a multifaceted journey—a journey that includes managing up, across, and down. You've learned the importance of building relationships up the organization and influencing peers across the organization.
Now we are onto the role you have as the developer and leader of your own team. It's time to shine the spotlight on nurturing your team, for they are the backbone of your success.
You might have initially thought that leadership was about making decisions and driving results. However, you've come to realize that it's much more than that. It's about cultivating talent, fostering growth, and yes, sometimes managing the challenges that come with it. Managing and growing individuals who might not initially shine as brightly can be tough, but it's a crucial part of the journey toward excellence. Keep in mind that you can’t play an “A” game with “C” players. You are no different than the sports teams you follow.
This reminds me of Jim Collins' classic "Good to Great" that aligns well with the concept of hiring the right people: "Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats, and they will figure out how to take it to a destination you initially thought was impossible."
This visual concept emphasizes the crucial role of assembling the right team before setting out to achieve organizational goals, suggesting that the right team will naturally find the best path to success.
Acquiring the Right People: Cultivating Excellence from the Start
Parallel to developing the team you already have; I’d like you to lay a foundation of excellence by acquiring the right talent.
Building on the idea of getting the right people in the right seats, leaders should prioritize strategic people planning as a critical component of their leadership duties. This may involve you stepping away from day-to-day operations to reflect on the broader human resource strategies that align individual strengths with the organization’s long-term objectives. By doing so, you can ensure that each team member is not only positioned to excel but also contributes effectively towards the collective goals. This thoughtful approach to team composition can be transformative, turning potential into performance and challenges into achievements.
I also want to encourage you to actively participate in the recruitment process, seeking those whose skills, values, and cultural fit enrich the collective strength of your team. If this is not a strength, you must leverage your HR or recruiting specialist in this process.
Ask Yourself:
Note with these questions, I am asking you to consider the organization, the team, and (and it’s a big AND) what you need in an employee to be your best.
Next month, we will take a deeper dive into part two of managing your team – team development! Until then, I hope you take some time to reflect on your team’s needs. And as always, if you need any help in this area, please reach out.
Warm regards,
