How to Build a Winning Culture

Ever wonder how to take your team from good to great? In my years of experience leading various teams, I've realized that recognizing individual strengths is the way to go. Let me break it down: 1. Identify Strengths: It starts here. You can't make the most out of your team if you don't know what they excel at. I usually do assessments or have straightforward 1:1 conversations to dig deeper. Trust me, everyone has something they're good at... you just need to uncover it. 2. Open Communication: Once you know everyone's strengths, share them. I've found that openly discussing these in team meetings can break down barriers. It gives everyone a sense of belonging and value. 3. Role Alignment: This is where the magic happens. Assign tasks and roles based on these identified strengths. If John is good with numbers, he should be handling the budget. If Sarah is a people person, client relations might be her jam. 4. Ongoing Development: Don't just stop at identifying strengths, help your team develop them further. This could mean sending them to training programs, assigning them a mentor, or giving them challenging projects. 5. Celebrate Wins: Recognition is huge for motivation. When someone uses their strength to benefit the team, acknowledge it. A simple "great job" can go a long way. 6. Check the Pulse: Keep regular tabs on how well the strengths-based approach is working. Is the team more engaged? Are they happier? If not, it might be time to make some adjustments. 7. Be Flexible: Just because you've assigned roles based on strengths doesn't mean it's set in stone. People grow, and their strengths may evolve. Be prepared to realign roles as needed. 8. Feedback Loop: Create a culture where team members can give and receive feedback about how they're using their strengths. It keeps everyone accountable and can lead to more personal and team growth. 9. Monitor Impact: Keep an eye on key performance indicators (KPIs) to see the direct impact of a strengths-focused approach. You'll be surprised at the uptick in productivity and morale. 10. Review and Adjust: Periodically revisit your approach. Are team members still in roles that suit their strengths? Is the team achieving its goals? Make adjustments as necessary. In the words of Peter Drucker, "The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths, making our weaknesses irrelevant." #LeadershipDevelopment #leadership #TeamLeadership

Do you want to lead a top-performing team? Someone once shared with me that a true sign of a strong team is how they operate and perform when their leader is absent. This idea stuck with me, and I became curious about what it would take to build a team that could function at a high level without me. I concluded that if I wanted my team to be the best, I needed to make myself less of a factor (”zero” myself out). Not so I can disappear and play golf; I am horrible, by the way, but more so to ensure the team continues to elevate. With that, I asked myself a couple of questions: - What do I need to do differently as a team leader? - What factors should I consider as I go through this process? Here's what I landed on: 1. Empower Through Delegation: Give your team autonomy and ownership over meeting agendas, projects, and tasks while providing guidance and support when needed. Trusting your team members to make decisions fosters confidence and boosts morale. 2. Encourage Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration where ideas are valued, respectfully challenged, and everyone's voice is heard. Encourage open communication and teamwork to leverage the collective intelligence of your team. Collaboration not only enhances creativity but also strengthens togetherness. 3. Provide Ongoing Development: Invest in your team's growth by offering continuous learning opportunities. Whether through 1:1 connects, team calls, or training programs, prioritize their development. 4. Provide Access: Connect your team to different departments and resources within your company. To enhance their network, try to give them access to some of the leaders and decision-makers you interact with. This not only gives them valuable exposure but also allows them to gather information and influence decisions. 5. Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate your team's achievements. Celebrating successes reinforces positive behavior and motivates the team to continue their collective journey. Remember: -Be present daily for your team. -Success belongs to the team; the leader owns any misses. -Tailor your approach to your team's abilities. -Enjoy watching your team grow! #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamSuccess

In my weekly tennis clinic, we play doubles drills. Winners move up a court. Losers move down a court.   Then, everyone gets a new partner, and the first thing they do is decide which side of the court each will play. Usually, this is based on personal preference.   Indeed, some players ALWAYS play on the same side of the court.   That’s fine in a regular game. But there’s a way to get extra points in every drill – so side-picking should be based on strengths related to the goal!   As it happens, I’m left-handed. This enables my partner and me to choose to gain an edge in every drill.   Imagine this: 🎾 When cross-court winners earn extra points, we position our forehands on the outside of the court. 🎾 When volleys earn extra points, we play forehands in the middle, where it’s easier to put away shots at the net.   But this isn't just about tennis. It's a blueprint for success that transcends the court and into the workplace.   To foster a winning team, it's key to steer efforts toward a common goal while leveraging individual strengths.   Here's how:   🎯 Clarity is key: Clearly define the goal and outline the steps to achieve it. When everyone knows the target and the path, success becomes more attainable.   🔍 Know your team inside out: Dive deep into understanding each team member's strengths. Uncover those unique skills that can make a real difference.   🤸♀️ Flexibility breeds success: Move away from rigid job descriptions. Embrace flexibility that empowers individuals to take on new challenges and excel.   💪 Strengths-driven support: Foster your team's potential by assigning roles that leverage their strengths.   Whether it's acing a drill on the tennis court or achieving milestones in the workplace, playing to strengths is a winning strategy. Have you ever experienced a game-changing moment by aligning tasks with your team's unique strengths? ------------------------ That’s me at the USOpen (my happy place!). I don't get to choose where I play here, but sometimes I get lucky with my seat. 😂 #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #management #managementtraining

I've been thinking a lot lately the impact of leadership in shaping a positive team culture. Here's what I've found makes a real difference 👇🏾 - 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: When leaders share a clear vision and purpose, it’s like giving everyone a map and compass. It helps us all see where we're headed and why our work matters. - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Trusting and empowering team members is crucial. When leaders delegate responsibilities and encourage us to take initiative, it sparks innovation and builds confidence. - 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Leaders who listen actively and provide honest feedback create an environment of trust. It’s about making sure everyone feels heard and valued, fostering a sense of community. - 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Recognizing achievements and offering growth opportunities boosts morale. Leaders who do this show that they care about our personal and professional development. - 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Challenges are inevitable. Leaders who stay positive and adaptable inspire us to do the same. Their resilience helps the whole team navigate through tough times together. Ultimately, leadership is about more than just directing tasks—it’s about nurturing a culture where everyone can succeed. By leading with empathy, vision, and purpose, we can build teams that not only reach their goals but also exceed them. Proactively foster environments where everyone feels valued, energized, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way. ✊🏾 #Leadership #TeamCulture #OpenCommunication ---------- Hey, I'm Kevin, I am the host of Working Wisdom and The Toxic Leadership Podcast and provide daily posts and insights to help transform organizational culture and leadership. ➡️ Follow for more, Dr. Kevin Sansberry II ♻️ Repost to share with others (or save for later)