Part 2 Build your Dream Team

Welcome back to our series on building a dream team. In Part 1, we explored the questions our clients ask us around how to assemble a group of talented individuals who can drive their business forward. In Part 2, we'll delve into the biggest question of them all: How do I motivate my team.

The new generation of employees don’t put much store by the numbers and have little time for the past. To engage people’s hearts and minds they want to feel part of something that is greater than themselves, with a group of people who share common values. People love to win and to be part of a winning team, so they need to know what winning looks like and what’s the game plan. In the context of work this simply breaks down into your:

• vision, mission and purpose
• team culture
• common goals.
  I’m not talking about placards on the wall. We've seen how organisations that are able to bring these to life transform their businesses, and we believe they can do the same for you.

Vision, Mission and Purpose
Without strong vision, a clear sense of direction, leaders and their organisations become nearsighted, overly cautious, uninspired & uninspiring. It is vital for a business to have a compelling vision of what the business wants to achieve, an inspirational picture of future success. People can then understand the part they play and how they contribute to this success.

Creating an envisioned future has two parts – an aspirational goal that may stretch further than can be attained by the current team or even generation and a vivid description that brings it to life. It needs to be inspirational yet simply stated.

Harvest Business Review Article July 2022 “Does Elon Musk have a Strategy?” writes that the most successful approaches typically share a common element: they stem from a visionary and ambitious outlook for the future which provides the business with it’s current purpose”
The mission explains what the purpose of the business is – its reason for existing. Of course you are in business to make money, but you wouldn’t be making money if your business didn’t have a purpose, if it didn’t serve a need in society. Businesses exist to solve problems, money is one of the things you get for doing this well. What human issue do you wish to be known for solving?

Business owners often know what they do, and they know how they do it (deliver the products and services) but they don’t spend time getting clear about why they do what they do. In his TED Talk “Start with Why” Simon Sinek explains how powerful it is to use “why” you do what you do as your starting point. This process creates clarity and belief in your mission; the rest stacks up after that. When employees understand why they do what they do, they are far more likely to be engaged and interested in doing it. This engagement will be more intrinsic and not just because they might have to otherwise, they will lose their job.

If you can get clear on why you are in business, then you will find you have people who resonate with you, people who want to go to war with you, so to speak. Vision, mission and purpose have the ability to create this motivation, to make your employees feel connected with your organization and where you want to go.

Culture
Every business has a culture – how team members show up, the norms of behavior and how they interact with each other, your customers and the business. The question is, “Is the culture that your business has the one that you want or the one that is best to realise its envisioned future?”

When a business starts out, the culture is informed by the business owner. He/She pretty much dominates the energy and culture of the business. But as businesses grow, and more layers of people and complexity are added, that influence this.

You need a culture that aligns and supports your mission. Ask yourself, what kind of culture serves that. Consider Peter Drucker’s famous quote: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” You can have the best strategy, but if you have a bad culture, your whole team starts working against you.

Although organisations talk about their values we find culture more useful as it isn't as influenced by circumstances. As yourself what are 3/5 “trademark” behaviors that will support your organisations to achieve its vision and live its purpose? Once it is defined how do you nurture it and ensure that everyone lives it.

Common Goal
People love to win. Even the least competitive amongst us like to do things well. Most of us become quickly immersed in sporting matches or board/on-line games. How long would you stay engaged if you didn't know when you actually won the game or progressed to the next level.

What does WINNING look like for your team? What does a good week look like? A good year? A good month?

To be able motivate your team they need to have a common goal; something that everyone is playing for. Everyone needs to understand what the common goal is, how it aligns with the vision (inspirational end goal) and what their contribution to it is. And like in any other game the businesses needs to be able to keep a clearly understood and visible scorecard that tells the team how well they are doing – when they’ll get to the next level, be eaten by the dragon, win the pot of gold ......

Now no one is going to be motivated by making you more money, besides which the money your business makes is an outcome of doing great business. So, what does doing great business look like for your organization?

Think about it as though you are gamifying business. Imagine your business operations as a game where each task, project, and goal represent a level or challenge to be conquered. Set clear objectives and milestones, just like in a game, to keep your team engaged and focused. Provide real-time feedback and rewards to celebrate achievements, fostering a sense of accomplishment and progress. By making the journey towards business goals interactive and rewarding, you can enhance motivation, encourage healthy competition, and create a dynamic and enjoyable work environment.

Building a dream team is not just about hiring the right people; it's about creating an environment where every team member feels motivated and connected to the broader goals of the business. By clearly defining your vision, mission, and purpose, and fostering a culture that aligns with these elements, you can cultivate intrinsic motivation within your team. Remember, a motivated team is a winning team, ready to face challenges and achieve remarkable results. As you steer your crew towards success, ensure that everyone knows what winning looks like and how they can contribute to that victory. With these strategies in place, you're well on your way to building a dream team that drives your business to new heights.