OPTIMIZING A TEAM OF LEADERS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS

Steve Job quipped that ‘great things in business are never done by one person. They are done by a team of people. However, ‘a successful team is a group of many hands and one mind’. Bill Bethel.

In view of the above wonderful and founded assertions, I would like to conclude that every great and agile company depends on their team to achieving their set goals over a period of time.

Several studies have shown that organizational performance depends on the level of collaboration amongst team member overtime. Zippia in 2023, reported that team work increased customer satisfaction by 41%, improved product quality by 34 %, improved product development by 30% and increased sales by 27%.

Generally speaking, this statistic, and several others, attested to the fact that teamwork, enhance, creativity, innovation, motivation, stakeholders (investors, customers and employee) satisfaction and engagement and of course the bottom-line.

If teamwork could give an organization an edge over its competitors, there is no doubt that an organization with a team of leaders will standout and be outstanding among its pears.

An organization with a team of leaders, is a firm that ensure that all the staff of the organization, from the least to the most senior person are leaders. Every organization, group and nation need a leader at all level to promote, peace, collaboration, progress and prosperity for the benefits of all stakeholders.

Though it has been established that no organization or nation can grow or develop beyond the quality of her people, it is also important to note that no organization or system can grow beyond the quantity and quality of the leaders among its team. A team led by one leader is less effective and efficient than a team of leaders. This can be compared to a football or soccer team where all the players are potential hit man that can score a goal.

A team of leaders just like any other team are driven by:

Common Goal

Trust

Effective Communication

Dependability

Diverse but Complementary Skills and personalities

Openness, inclusiveness and equity

Mutual Support and collaboration

Defined Authority, Responsibility and Accountability

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But a team filled with leaders comes with more, because every member of the team is driven by:

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Common Vision

Innovation

Confidence

Empathy

Positivity

Empowerment

Mutual Respect and

Ownership because each team member does not need to be told what to do before they act.

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Every organization can assemble or develop a team of leaders by doing the following:

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1.??????? Set clear goals and determine things that are of priority to the organization. This would help the organization to know what they want to achieve (Key Results Areas/Key Performance Indicators) and the kind of people that are needed to achieving the goals in terms of competencies and personalities from top to bottom.

2.?????? Strategically, recruit, develop and retain the people that are both purpose and culture fit to achieving the organizational goals and priorities.

3.?????? Effectively and consistently communicate the goals and priorities to the team; consistently seek their feedback and understanding, to be sure that all members of the team are on the same page.

4.?????? Place each member in their area (s) of strengths and foster harmony such that though their respective weaknesses are recognized, but their strengths are emphasized/optimized at all times.

5.?????? Develop guidelines and metrics for measuring performance and achievement of goals within the set time.

6.????? Provide room for review, flexibility, recognition and empowerment, of all the team members.

7.?????? Give each person ample authority, and responsibility and demands accountability without jeopardizing the psychological safety of the team members.

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Whilst a great team is highly desirable for the success of an organization, a team of leaders guarantee the sustenance and agility at all times. ?

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? Femi Oshagbami 300924