Are you leading your Team?

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Doing the amount of travel I have in these past few weeks, has afforded me the opportunity to get back into a bit of reading. I’ve missed it. I feel reading feeds the mind, feeds the soul and I know it for sure gives me ideas for future articles. I’m usually reading something motivational. Something that brings me back to center point. In the book that I’m reading, I circled, underlined and highlighted a ton load of OMG words or quotes that struck a nerve. One in particular sparked this article.

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Team Leadership 

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“Like a football team in a huddle lining up for the next play, the team is coming together to lay groundwork. The ball doesn’t move forward during the huddle. Forward motion toward the goal only happens when each player receives his assignment, trust the coach, understands how he fits into the big picture and then executes on behalf of the team”.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]This is true in any situation where there is a team. There is a team leader and players on the team. In our Salons, it’s our salon owners, the management team (which could be the same people) and the Technicians and stylist who fill the rest of the team. We so often use the word “team” when we talk about our Staff. However, do we actually treat our team members…….as a team? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I hope this resonates with someone. Because out there in our Salon world, I have seen and witnessed the exact opposite. I have seen Salons never make it to the goal point….and I understand why! [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]You don’t have to cross the goal line everyday.  In fact, this would be virtually impossible.  However, it should be expected, as with all great teams that you practice, strategize, assess your strengths and weaknesses, retool, reinforce a foundation and/or huddle.  It’s all about laying solid groundwork for the future.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1534802218178{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6812″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]We so often as “leaders” of a team forget that input from the team can be very valuable.  If you listen to the members that are actually in or on the field, you are getting first hand communication from the battle field.  There is nothing more valuable.  

  • Huddle often-you not only may get some great ideas, you also give a sense of value to your team.  That sense of value will bring much stronger results than leaving them out.  
  • Choose your plays-many great ideas may come from these huddles, don’t just run and play.  Strategize your moves and talk about what might be the best plan of action.  
  • Use your strengths and encourage your weaknesses-not every team member will be the same.  When you huddle and move forward with your plays you will know what teams members show strength and what team members need to be encouraged.  Use your strong team members to encourage the weak.  Find the strength from the weak….it’s always there. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1534802218178{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]I can remember during my days at the Salon, when I interviewed potential team members I always asked them to paint their perfect scenario.  You would be surprised how much you found out about a person based on that one question.  Not only that, if I heard from them they didn’t want to work nights or weekends……I wouldn’t place them on nights or weekends.  I found someone who would fill those voids.  Placing someone in a position of weakness, or a position they won’t be happy with, will not produce the best results for your team.  

Not all plays are today plays. Laying a solid foundation for future plays is imperative.  It will give your team something to work towards and something to look forward to.  How?  Simple steps in securing your foundation can produce a winning team or it can cause the team to break apart and you WILL come in last place. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6813″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1534802238716{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

  • Assign-if you call your team a team, act like it.  Team members like to feel useful. Assign projects, producing teams within a team.  Place them in charge of the next Holiday decoration.  I like the program “Last man standing”.  Mikes wife was overwhelmed one year panicking over how she is going to get all the Holiday projects completed.  She had too much on her plate and she was highly stressed over it.  So stressed, it knocked all the enjoyment out of the season.  Mike recruited the family and gave each one a job.  In the end, not only did Vanessa feel loved, but each family member learned how much she does and how hard she works to make it special for everyone.  In the end, they appreciated her so much more.  
  • Delegate-this isn’t the same as assigning. Assigning gives someone the opportunity to use their own creative juices or assigns them a project which needs to be completed.  Delegating is assigning specifics.  Do you need new inventory items put into your computer program system?  Delegate someone.  Do you have a list of office supplies you’ve been needing?  Delegate someone.  The project is concrete, you just need to delegate the chore.  

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]In our Tampa Bay area,  we have Rays baseball. It’s frustrating.  They are always recruiting great team members, but they don’t keep them. They groom them but for whatever reason, they don’t stay.  This might be a bad example because I’m sure they have their reasons and methods of madness, however, it makes me think of how many good stylist or Technicians have left a place to pursue other opportunities. 

Yes, even I experienced it.  I look back at it now and some changes were inevitable….some could not be controlled.  I do think however, I was lacking something for the members of my team not to feel like they wanted to stay with me, stay in the field and keep making us better and better.  We all know the grass is not greener on the other side.  But, if someone is peeking over the fence…they are missing something.  

I felt like I was a great team leader.  I had the same amazing team of players for an unheard of amount of time.  I know how blessed I was.  I also know, knowing what I know now and sharing ideas and thoughts with you, if I had to do it all over again….I would definitely make some adjustments.  Is it time for you?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Many Businesses don’t like to make change during the Holiday Season. I for one, think it’s a great time of year. Most people are in better spirits, preparing for Family affairs and actually love the hustle and bustle and the cheer in the air.

What better time to huddle with your team and come up with a game plan. Bring everyone in and let their ideas flow. I think you might be surprised where an idea can come from.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2087″ title=”CJ Murray, President”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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