| Seven Steps to a Stronger
Team In these turbulent times, the primary challenge facing leaders remains to inspire their teams to move from where they now are to where they have never been. While the technological gadgetry of the digital age has allowed many companies to achieve feats they could never have imagined even a couple of years ago, long-term business success still depends less on technology than on the leadership ability to create a corporate culture where people are excited, motivated and innovative. Flesh, blood and hearts will always win the day no matter how slick your company's website or advanced your electronic architecture. Yet too many leaders have failed to adopt a truly people-centered approach in running their companies, notwithstanding the lofty sentiments of the mission statement on the factory wall. They have forgotten that, in this information-crazed world, ideas are the currency of success and only those leaders who continually nourish the potential of their team will reap the rewards that creativity and innovation bear. As noted by Walt Disney: "You can dream, create and build the most wonderful place in the world but it requires people to make the dream a reality." To lead a better team you must become a better leader. Here are 7 leadership lessons to help you motivate your team and raise your company to new plateaus of success: 1. Link Paycheck to Purpose. Contrary to popular belief, money is not the strongest motivator of people. The deepest source of motivation comes from having a heartfelt commitment to achieving a meaningful objective. People will go far beyond the call of duty in performing work they view as important. If you can show your team how their daily work contributes to their community, for example, and help them align their personal values with the corporate mission you will take a giant step towards building an unbeatable team. 2. Practice Unorthodox Leadership. Be a leader who takes the road less travelled when it comes to how you motivate your team. One company in Singapore closes its shop every Friday afternoon to let employees read and discuss the latest business books. Another client of ours begins every sales meeting "celebrating the heroes", acknowledging top performers and asking them to share their success strategies for the benefit of the team as a whole. This business ritual not only inspires the "heroes" to work even harder but sends a powerful message to all that excellence will be recognized. 3. Create Symbols of Victory. To rally your team behind your vision, come up with a series of visible tokens of what success will mean. A top Xerox manager carried a ski cap with the name of a five-star ski resort embroidered on it to every meeting, knowing that this symbol reminded everyone where they would vacation if they met their sales targets. Also, work hard to create a workplace that stimulates creativity, high energy and a positive mindset. One company I've worked with designated one office wall as the "victory wall", placing motivational quotes, testimonial letters and strategic goals on it. This simple act energized the entire team. Remember, passion is contagious. 4. Apply the Platinum Rule. "Crack the codes" of your employees. Find out what makes them tick and what it will take to inspire them to extraordinary achievement. Make the people who work for you feel important and treat them as they would wish to be treated. Listen to their suggestions. Deeply understand their needs. Let them make decisions. Help them move towards their dreams. "If you honor and serve them, they'll honor and serve you," observed Mary Kay Ash. 5. Reward Regularly, Recognize Routinely. Sincere praise for a job well done is the best way to develop a consistently peak performing team. In one landmark study of over 1500 employees, personalized, instant recognition was found to be the top way to energize employees. Yet only 42% received such praise. My favorite employee rewards are those which also help your team to grow and include books, tapes and magazine subscriptions. Reward those activities you want repeated and praise your people. As I teach managers in my seminars "Treat your employees as you want them to treat your best customer." 6. Keep Your Promises and Be the Model. True leadership is less about position and more about action. Dynamic leaders consistently do what they said they would do. They walk their talk, are ethical and lead by example. Holding yourself to the same high standards you set for your team builds both unity and loyalty. A team's motivation is determined by the leader's commitment. 7. Strive for Continuous Renewal. Confucius said "good people strengthen themselves ceaselessly." Similarly, top teams are constantly learning, growing and renewing. Make the time to celebrate victories and savour a big win. Take the time to get to know people for who they really are. Provide learning opportunities for your team members, so that they continue to grow professionally as well as personally. People are happiest when they are moving forward and expanding their talents, skills and abilities. And don't forget to carve out time for personal reflection and self-renewal. All too often leaders destroy their own creativity, energy and enthusiasm by stretching themselves too thin and neglecting themselves for the sake of the bottom line. Saying that you are too busy to exercise or take a well-deserved vacation is like saying you are too busy driving to stop for gas - eventually it will catch up with you. Remember, to lead an effective team you must effectively lead yourself. As we move toward the new millennium, competition will continue to increase at a dizzying rate and the pressure to perform will only skyrocket. In topsy-turvy times such as these, it is easy to put off the training and development of your team in favour of activities that might appear to offer a more immediate payback . These 7 team tactics might, at first glance, appear to be so easy to implement that they can be reserved for a more convenient time. But the essence of leadership is about focusing your energy on true priorities and there is no greater priority than putting your people first. By having the courage and discipline to bring these strategies into your company today, you will begin maximize the boundless opportunities presented by this change-crazed age. You deserve no less. Robin S. Sharma, LL.M. is an internationally-known speaker on leadership, peak performance and change management. The bestselling author of 3 books including MegaLiving, he is the managing partner of Sharma Leadership International™, a Toronto-based training firm. His new book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (HarperCollins) is a motivational fable. To contact Robin S. Sharma call 1-888-774-2762 or e-mail wisdom@robinsharma.com. This article first appeared in PROFIT, the national magazine for entrepreneurs. |