Being a former youth coach, youth group organizer, sports fan, and someone who watches some of the great coaches and managers I realized a great leader does more than just manage his team. Great leaders inspire their team to perform at their best, build confidence, create an environment of trust and collaboration, and guide their team to reach new heights of greatness.  It starts with setting high expectations, showing the right example, empowering your team, and creating a culture of continuous growth and improvement. In building a culture that aspires to greatness, here are some areas of leadership I have found to help build a motivated, high-performing team.

Changes in Leadership Culture Today

During my early years of experience in the working world, it seemed leadership operated from a top-down perspective. It was almost second nature that leaders gave orders and expected strict compliance. Since starting our company and as our business continues to grow I have realized that leadership needs to shift to a more inclusive and empowering style. Leadership should be about motivating your team to achieve their best, while also building trust and fostering open communication. It should be more of a desire of team members wanting to do, not having to do.

Creating a Vision for the Future

One of the most critical qualities of a great leader is having a clear vision for the future. Setting organization WIG’s (Wildly Important Goals) is important. Having WIG’s helps guide all decisions, goals, and strategies within the organization. It provides direction and purpose, aligning everyone within the same mission.

Your organizations WIG’s should be clear and achievable and should be inspiring and rewarding for all if achieved. They should create a sense of excitement and motivation for your team, making the team feel as though their efforts contribute to a greater purpose. As a leader, it’s essential to communicate these WIG’S regularly and help your team understand how their work fits into the bigger picture in attaining these organizational goals. When your team knows where the organization is going and how they play a role in getting there, they will feel more invested in their work.

Team members who feel aligned with their organization WIG’s are several times more likely to be engaged at work. The importance of creating clear goals and sharing them with your team will ensure higher engagement and commitment. One thing I share almost daily with team members is that they can count on us as an organization to be predictable, stable, and that they will never be expected to compromise their morals or values.

Leading by Example

Leadership is about leading through actions rather than just words. If you want to breed greatness in your organization, you must lead by example. Your team will take their cues from your actions and behavior. When you show dedication, commitment, and integrity, your team is more likely to follow your lead.

Leading by example means being the first to take on challenges, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and living by the values you want your team to adopt. If you expect your team to be punctual, responsible, and hardworking, you must set the example yourself. When your actions reflect your words, they build trust and credibility with your team, and your team is more likely to mirror your behavior.

Being gracious, approachable and open also plays a key role in leading by example. A great leader is open to listening to their team, providing positive support, and offering guidance when necessary. Leading by example fosters an encouraging, inclusive environment that helps the entire team feel engaged and motivated.

Empowering Your Team

Empowering your team is one of the most powerful ways to breed greatness in your organization. Empowerment involves giving your team the tools, resources, and freedom they need to make decisions, solve problems, and take ownership of their work. When team members feel empowered, they take more responsibility for their results and are motivated to perform at their best.

It is proven that highly engaged teams see greater profitability and greater productivity. Empowered team members are more likely to be engaged, innovative, and contribute ideas that can drive the organization forward. This is especially important in the technological world we compete in for business every day.

To empower your team effectively, you must trust them to do their jobs without micromanaging. Give them independence to make decisions, take initiative, and tackle challenges. Encourage creativity, innovation and foster an environment where new ideas are welcome. Let them know that their contributions are valued and give them the space to explore new ways of approaching problems. The more you empower your team, the more they will feel invested in the success of the organization. By empowering your team in these ways, you create a culture of ownership and responsibility that will lead to improved performance, greater engagement, and increased innovation.

Building Strong Relationships

Effective leadership is based on relationships. A great leader takes the time to understand their team members, knowing their strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Building strong relationships with your team creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, which is essential for success.

When team members feel that their leaders genuinely care about their well-being and success, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Strong relationships also encourage open communication, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and discussing concerns. By fostering these relationships, you create a supportive environment that allows individuals to flourish.

Building relationships also involves offering support during challenging times. Great leaders are there for their team when they need help, whether it’s providing guidance on a tough project or offering personal encouragement during difficult times. The more connected you are with your team, the more likely they are to give their best effort.

Encouraging Creativity and Risk-Taking

Innovation is key to staying competitive. The best leaders encourage their teams to think creatively, experiment, and take calculated risks. When you empower your team to take risks and try new things, you foster an environment of innovation that drives the organization forward.

Team members who feel safe to experiment with and explore new ideas are more likely to develop creative solutions that can benefit the organization. Great leaders are humble and understand that not every idea can be theirs. Empowering others also means helping them see that failing are learning opportunities. Encouraging creativity and risk-taking helps your team grow, adapt, and develop new ways of solving problems.

Providing Feedback and Support

Great leaders provide regular feedback and guidance to their team. Feedback should be constructive, specific, and aimed at helping team members improve and grow.

Support is equally important. As a leader, it is your role to help your team overcome obstacles, provide the necessary resources, and offer advice and feedback when needed. Whether it’s helping with a difficult project or providing emotional support during challenging times, being there for your team builds loyalty and trust. Regular feedback helps individuals understand their strengths and areas for improvement, allowing them to continuously evolve and contribute more effectively.

Being Available and Approachable

Being available is a key trait of effective leadership. When you are open and honest with your team, they feel more secure and engaged. Reaching out and being available helps to build trust and ensure that everyone is aligned with the organization’s goals and values.

Being approachable is also vital. Your team should feel that they can come to you with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. An approachable leader is someone who listens, values input and makes decisions with the team’s well-being in mind.

Recognizing Achievements

Recognition is essential for fostering a motivated and engaged team. Great leaders take the time to acknowledge their team’s hard work and accomplishments. Recognizing achievements, whether big or small, helps build confidence and morale, and shows your team that their efforts are valued. This is one of my personal favorites as it costs so little to get so much from praising and recognizing others.

Becoming Leaders Who Breed Greatness

By focusing on empowering your team, building strong relationships, encouraging creativity, praising efforts, and providing the support they need, you can create a culture that breeds greatness. There is so much greatness that our Divine Creator has instilled in each of us. It is our responsibility as leaders to help team members achieve more of their greatness. Our success as leaders is not only defined by what we accomplish but what we help others personally attain.