I find it quite fascinating these days, as I have conversations with colleagues and clients, to learn just how much there is yet to be known about creating great teams. What I know for sure, as a successful business person, is that you are nothing without a great team – I know – because I have one!

There are still those ‘hobby’ entrepreneurs who believe they can still do everything themselves. That crazy thinking stems from a scarcity mentality and will be the death of them.

There are other entrepreneurs – the smart ones – who do hire team members. They will succeed – but only when they continue the learning that supports having and keeping a great team.

Not everyone in business has the size of an organization that warrants a human resources person on site. That’s unfortunate because that’s where the trouble starts. Most entrepreneurs are very knowledgeable in their own area of expertise. They do not have the background, experience or exposure of working with a great team. So where and how do they get better at leading people once they start to build their own teams?

There are many resources available these days – from workshops, books, skills training, mentors, and coaches. I’ve been told by my own team members that I am an anomaly – as a solopreneur, working from a home office, I have recruited, retained (rewarded and recognized) a solid team to help me grow my business. I do have a background in HR, so that does help.

However, there are also other factors that contribute to my success and the success of having a phenomenal team. How does a good team work? Let me give you some of my tips.

1. TOTAL COMMITMENT

How many times have you started something and not finished? My guess is ….often. We all have. What contributes to having a good team – commitment! If you expect to have a winning team, you and your teammates need to develop the first essential element of human synergy and success – total commitment. Not only to the task at hand. Not only to the business you support. But to each other! Pastor T.D. Jakes speaks on this topic all the time – because it’s important. Commitment to the business and to your team is the first step to having a good team.

“Everyone starts strong. Success comes to those with unwavering commitment to be at the end.”
– Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks

2. TREATING PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE, FIRST

I once heard a great speaker say ‘take care of your people and they will take care of your profits’. That stuck with me. I live that, day to day, in my business. Maya Angelou is known for her famous statement ‘People don’t care what you know, they want to know that you care’. This is not complicated. It’s about genuine caring. It makes such a difference.

Another great piece of advice I got back in my corporate days in HR was to always praise in public and criticize in private. A lot of business owners could benefit from using this one simple technique. Coach people – don’t criticize. Building a high-performance team starts with who you are every day.

3. SHARE VISION

‘Hire the inspired’ is what one of my mentors said a long time ago. Hire on attitude and not necessarily on skills. Ever felt like you have been dragging your team toward your goals? In my world, my team members are all on contract. They are all entrepreneurs running their own Virtual Assistant businesses. None of them work full-time for me; they don’t want to – and I don’t want them to. Which is all the more reason for me to stay focused and committed to sharing my vision of my business with them. I communicate openly and honestly and frequently.

People who are inspired by a business and by a leader will own it. They will have the entrepreneurial drive connected to the business that money can’t buy. That’s what I have. That’s what I have created. It’s possible. I have a leader’s dream team. Team members will embrace that which they have helped to create.

Daniel Goleman writes about the different styles of leadership – and said there are 6 different types. The one that succeeds in growing a winning team and running a successful business is the ‘pacesetting leader’. That’s the type of leader who expects and models excellence and self-direction. He sums that style up as ‘Do as I do, now.”

There is so much more I could write on this topic – and there needs to be more said on this topic, particularly in my industry. For those of you who are hiring and growing your team, these 3 tips will get you started. Beyond that, get out – read more, attend leadership events, get mentors, get feedback from your team.

Being a true team builder is the most important skill a business owner can have/develop for long-term success. It must be practiced constantly and consistently.

‘A company is like a ship – everyone should be prepared to take the helm!” – Morris Weeks

Simple, yet effective. What is one thing you will do this week to create a good team?

Be sure to post your comment and let me know – I’m always open to learning from others.