How to Inspire Your Team to Greatness

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." -Andrew Carnegie

No matter where you are in business, you will only be as good as the team you surround yourself with.  Even if you are a solopreneur, you have a team.  It comes in the form of your vendors, partnerships, etc.  And that means that whatever stage you are in your business or in building a team, you need to make sure first and foremost that you have the RIGHT people.  This is most critical.  It is not enough to have people on your team...To really make things go, you have to have the RIGHT people doing the Right things Right!

With that said, once you have your team in place, it is your job to inspire and motivate them to greatness.

First, you must be able to create a vivid picture and vision of where you are all going for everyone.  Then, you must make sure that everyone sees it and understands it.

Next, you must believe in it with more conviction than anyone and show that to your team.  You must show that by believing in them and helping them realize where they fit into making the vision a reality.  Help them realize what you believe they are truly capable of and how it contributes in a large way to manifesting the vision.

Third, in order the belief in the vision and your belief in your team's ability to make it happen, you have to get in the trenches with them.  You have to get down in the dirt and work with them and help them overcome challenges and obstacles - especially in the beginning.  This does not mean that you do the work for them, but it does mean when they don't think something can done, you help show them the way, or work with them to help them figure it out.  When they see you working with them side by side and see progress happening, it will ignite their passion even further and accelerate your pace toward your goal.

Fourth, listen to your team.  They are the ones in the trenches all day.  They are in the field and at ground zero with clients.  Some of the best insight comes from their day to day interactions.  Listen to what they have to say, analyze it's impact, and take action if appropriate.  Your ability to listen and synthesize the acres of diamonds they unearth will help you even further in getting to your goal and reaching greatness as a team.

Lastly, ask for help and tell them to do the same of each other.  People support what they help to create and you must foster an environment that collaborates and makes things happen.  The only way you can do this well is by encouraging people to ask for help where they need it and help others when they need it.  It should be a badge of honor to ask for you help because that means you are striving and getting closer to your goal.

If you take these principles and use the with your "teams," you will be amazed at what they (and you and your business) can accomplish.  Here's to your success!