Companies that solely focus on the bottom line without recognizing the potential of their people won’t be successful for long. Team development pays off and is good for company culture and the bottom line.
“Organizations that invest in team development and team building will have more engaged and high-performing employees,” said Michael King, an executive and leadership coach.
King touted the companies that have generational staying power for their ability to build something internally, first.
“When it comes down to the things that push these major companies forward, what they are known for is not just their products — it’s their cultures,” he said. “They create a presence. That makes everything you do moving forward impactful.”
Based in Nebraska, King serves C-suite executives, senior leaders, entrepreneurs and teams to unlock their potential and build powerful teams that go to the next level. He offered some insight on the importance of team development to building on sustaining success for your business.
It starts at the top
King believes that team development starts from the top and works its way down. Leaders, he says, must inspire. The basis of inspiration is high emotional intelligence.
“A senior leader that understands the culture, vision, values and the wants and needs of their team is going to be effective,” King said. “There’s a way of looking at things where in leadership you understand that you are aiming to get your team member to their best fit and that may be within the organization or outside of it.”
To King, that type of leadership fits into the equation for results he preaches: Productivity = Energy x Direction.
King advises that if you want more productivity, leaders must give everyone the tools and encouragement they need to be more productive and energized at work. Leaders must inspire teams to see the potential impact of their work and the immense value that everyone has on the team.
People want to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves, and that is just what they will feel when you give them a voice. So instead of waiting for your people to come up with ideas, go ahead and ask them meaningful questions to get their suggestions.
“When people’s hearts are invested, it means you can push harder, you can ask for more and you can expect greater results.”
The game has changed
Team development is more essential than ever before. Using a recently developed app to measure employee satisfaction and engagement in real time, King and his team are working with corporate clients to keep employees hungry and happy.
“So many organizations missed the heartbeat of their organization by shooting for the immediate financial return rather than the long-term development of their team,” he said. An organization with a good culture will attract happier employees who will in turn make clients happy, he added.
To develop happy and high-performing employees, King’s plan includes advising employers to offer work flexibility, prioritize workers’ health and wellness and adapt to employee experiences.
“If you don’t have a good culture and you don’t have a good team environment, you have nothing to amplify,” King said. “The thing that you are accountable for producing as a senior leader is the people you develop. That’s your bull’s-eye.”
For more information about Teams Coaching, visit teams.coach.
