The 7 Keys To A Top Notch Team

Developing an effective, efficient team can be a tough part of running a small business. And yet, with the right mindset and focus, you can create a team that will vastly accelerate your business growth and your happiness.

#1- Know your own Unique Abilities first. Your Unique Abilities are the intersection of what you love to do and what you do well. Ideally, at least 80% of your focus in your business is spent in this area.

#2- Hire others based on your clear list of “everything else” that needs to be done to run your business effectively and efficiently. Hire others for clear job descriptions based on what you don’t love to do, what you don’t do well, and what you just don’t have time for anymore.

#3- Resist trying to hire one person to “do it all” for you. It’s far better to chunk down responsibilities into core areas and hire for those specific areas, than it is to try to match one person to too many responsibilities.

#4- Build loyalty. You want to find team members who believe in the vision of your business and are passionate about both their work and the success of your company. Find opportunities to reward loyalty and commitment to your business success.

#5- Make sure every member of your team understands their responsibilities, their goals, and why they are important to your business. Clarity in these areas is crucial for success.

#6- Show appreciation for good work and address conflicts immediately. One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is avoiding addressing problems immediately. Check in and assess whether team members fully understand their job responsibilities, are learning from their mistakes, and are working towards improvement, with a positive attitude.

#7- Trust your gut and let go of people who are not right for your business. The truth is, many people are not proficient in understanding their own strengths and weaknesses and sometimes you just don’t know if someone is right for a position until you’ve worked with them. It may take some time to be able to differentiate a team member who is “good fit” for your team vs. someone who is a “bad fit” for your team. And remember, when you let a “bad fit” person go, you free up space to find the right person and you liberate them to find a job that fits them better, as well.

Teams can make or break success in business. They can have an enormous impact on your happiness as you run your business. Take the time to find the right people for the tasks that you don’t want to do, aren’t good at doing, or just don’t have time for- and you will enjoy more ease, joy, and growth in your business.