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As entrepreneurs and business owners, we know that we wear many hats each day. Sales, operations, marketing, and finance all rest on us. We must start, run, and scale our businesses. As a small business owner, I have had some sleepless nights, worrying about the daily pressures of pursuing my purpose. John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Most of us know that the way we lead our organizations each day truly matters.
A key lesson I’ve learned in business is to embrace repeatable systems. This is why I created the Leaders SUCCEED Together© system for leadership growth. We know that even the best organizations will fail if they don’t have the right leadership. Yet, developing ourselves and those around us can be challenging as we work on our business. This easy-to-use system makes the process of leadership development for your organization simpler.
Here are the 7 steps within the Leaders SUCCEED Together© system and how to apply them to your business:
1. Self-Awareness: The Leadership Mirror
Entrepreneurs have many strengths and skills. The most successful ones know they cannot be good at everything. So, they must build a complementary team around them. Assessing your strengths, work preferences, and personality is worth it. I’ve worked with many clients who have used the assessments I have provided to reflect upon their core strengths. We also analyzed their team’s strengths and used the information to identify needed talent. Leading ourselves well is the first step to leading a successful organization. We can grow by assessing, gathering feedback, and reflecting on the teams we lead.
2. Understanding: The Leadership Lens
As a business owner, I am responsible for connecting our team to their roles, stakeholders, and the organization. It’s key. We all want to do meaningful work and feel like we are contributing. Ensuring each team member understands their vital role will build commitment. Finding unique ways to connect our people to stakeholders (clients, customers, and team members) and to the organization’s mission will build a stronger business model. This commitment creates a team with the potential to become unstoppable. And believe me, you will be glad you took the time. You will need them to overcome any challenges your organization may face.
3. Communication: The Leadership Bridge
If there is one skill that every entrepreneur needs, it’s communication. In this step, leaders learn the 8Cs of communication. They also learn to lead through conflict and to coach their teams to success. I have seen businesses derail and ultimately fail due to poor communication. Avoiding or mishandling conflict is a major challenge. It can throw organizations into turmoil. Without effective coaching, there is also no one as a bench of talent to rely on as your business grows. Communication is the key to outstanding leadership. It will can take your organization to the next level and create a positive culture, which is our fourth step in the system.
4. Culture: The Leadership Soil
Many clients contact me after they see cracks in their culture. As their business grew, everyone got too busy. They forgot their culture could be a big advantage. They ignored the initial signs of toxicity, and it began to grow like mold after a flood. Other organizations can copy almost everything you create, but not your culture. This is why being intentional about the culture you create within your organization is critical. Define your core values and acceptable behaviors. Create decision-making processes that align with your culture. Sustain your culture through diligence. This will help you retain the best talent. People want a culture that inspires and makes them feel like they belong. A positive work culture is good for everyone. So, work with your team to define, develop, and sustain it.
5. Expectations: The Leadership Compass
To take people on a journey in your business, they must see the destination and their role in reaching it. Clarifying, aligning, and measuring expectations ensures your organization achieves the goals you set. It also is a motivator for your team members. Every winning team wants to know the rules of the game and the score. Your team will feel inspired and empowered. They will understand what success looks like because you took the time to define it together. Many clients I work with believe they have been clear because they can see what they want in their minds. A system to check for this assumption is important. It ensures that each team member aligns with the mission so they can all work together to achieve it.
6. Engagement: The Leadership Spark
At our core, we all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We also seek deeper connections. My research found three areas where people connect to their work. They are places, people, and purpose. These connections lead to engagement. We form a genuine connection with our workplace, even virtually. A well-designed work environment will encourage connection. It will help you retain your top talent and build commitment. Many people have told me that what they love most about their work is the people they work with. Finding ways to connect with your team members can build strong relationships. This can make teamwork easy. We also feel more fulfilled when we are working toward a shared purpose. Connecting your team to your business’s greater purpose will spark engagement.
7. Development: The Leadership Growth Engine
The final step in the Leaders SUCCEED Together©. system is development. It involves working with your leaders to maintain positive mindsets, drive innovation and create strategy. You will notice, I use the term leaders to describe everyone on your team because we are all leaders of ourselves and those around us. Even the best business models can fail due to tech or market changes. So, this step also teaches your leaders to foster innovation and create strategies to lead change. Investing in your team’s skills is worth the time and effort. They will carry your business through uncharted territory. We know that the best employees value ongoing development. My clients use the Leaders SUCCEED Together©. System to differentiate their organizations as one that values retaining the most talented team members.
The success of your organization depends on leadership. It doesn’t matter if you lead a start-up or an established business. Your leadership and the leadership skills of those around you will determine your rate of success. The Leaders SUCCEED Together©. system gives you a framework. It revolves around building a trust-based organization. Trust is key to all successful businesses and core to leadership. Our clients and teams must trust us to believe that we will deliver on our promises. To grow your organization and achieve your dreams, take time to learn and use the Leaders SUCCEED Together©. system. It is a powerful tool for success.
