Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I took over as CEO of Bigleaf in 2022, my goal from day one was to build a solid, high-performing team. To do that, I had to focus on identifying and setting clear goals and making sure everyone, especially the 102 employees across 38 states, was on the same page about the company's mission and vision. But like all effective strategies begin, this big move was marked by trial and error.
The strength of a team lies in the skills of its employees and in their synergistic collaboration. I invest heavily in our employees, offer ongoing training, encourage open communication and ensure that every team member feels valued and heard.
While we have achieved this goal, I also recognize that markets are constantly changing, trends come and go, and technology evolves. While we have solid recruitment, training, and retention strategies in place, I still had to make sure everyone was on top of the changes. Every day I try to develop a team that can adapt seamlessly to changing market demands.
1. Clear mission orientation, role clarity and responsibility
One of our first steps was to ensure that every team member understood the company's direction and goals. We clearly outlined our product-market fit, our value proposition, and the milestones critical to customer satisfaction.
In addition, we focus on achieving business goals by strategically linking tasks to them. For example, at Bigleaf, quality growth is measured by one key metric: our Annual Revenue Run Rate (ARR). We do this at least once a year to ensure the entire team's focus is in the same direction.
Related topics: 10 growth strategies every entrepreneur should know
2. Well thought-out performance indicators
Beyond ARR, we have learned to carefully balance our performance metrics. Prioritizing one metric over another could have unintended consequences. For example, focusing solely on service quality could lead to inefficiency and vice versa. Our practice has evolved to carefully analyze and strategically balance performance metrics. We encourage the right behaviors that are aligned to the core of our business, which has worked wonders so far and helped us achieve the desired results across the organization. This also minimizes the risk of unforeseen impacts.
3. Mental Security
Creating an environment where every team member feels safe to share ideas and challenge the status quo significantly impacts our performance. Mental safety in the workplace can foster creativity. This open-door policy encourages open communication, innovation and risk-taking, allowing the team to collaborate and develop solutions to our unique workplace and organizational challenges.
We strive to maintain and reinforce this culture to continually increase morale, engagement and productivity, and ultimately improve business results.
Related: Why you should care about psychological safety in the workplace
4. Prevent burnout
To avoid burnout, I first focus on maintaining my own balance. As the saying goes, “You can't pour anything from an empty cup.” As for the team, we keep our mission and goals clear and make sure every task has a purpose.
A distributed work environment brings unique benefits and challenges. Some members find time and productivity tracking a form of micromanagement; others see it as a means to focus on what matters and spend less time on other tasks. Regardless, building that personal connection is essential. We hold regular in-person meetings, monthly all hands-on-deck calls, and an annual company meeting to reinforce that sense of belonging and unity. These initiatives are not only logistical, but also critical to maintaining the overall health and morale of our team.
Related topics: The 10 warning signs of employee burnout and how to deal with it
5. Learn from mistakes
Every mistake was a step toward understanding what it really takes to build a high-performing team. Leaders, as much as you may want things to happen faster, remember that there are no shortcuts, especially when building a team. Yes, it's tempting to take the more straightforward route or listen to a single opinion, especially when recruiting, but building comprehensive training programs is worth the effort.
Integrating new employees into the company culture gradually but leveling expectations up front leads to more efficient results and moves the business forward more consistently. This realization has led us to prioritize transparent and comprehensive approaches to our recruiting and training processes, cementing our reputation as a leader in the technology industry.
The way forward
Adaptability, curiosity and open-mindedness have become our guiding principles. Our work requires us to remain flexible and willing to learn from successes and failures. Likewise, resilience, commitment and an open heart are key ingredients for building a high-performance culture focused on team well-being and company growth.
I hope I have highlighted the undeniable truth that a company is only as strong as its culture and its people. For founders and business leaders alike, investing in your people is of great importance. Listen to the people outside your bubble and embrace their insights. Stay curious, keep an open mind and don't be afraid to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Building an empire takes courage and learning from mistakes.
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
