Responsibility Rest With The Leader

I’m a believer in leading with core values. The best leaders work with those under their leadership to embrace a unifying vision…this vision is developed through the lens of a core value system. If you’ve ever witnessed a team where the individuals create separate identities, of their own choosing, it can be painful to see.

It’s most easily seen in professional sports. Perhaps it’s the fact that athletes manage their brands separate from one another that plays a part in this. One thing is for sure, it happens regularly. When it does, it always ends disastrously for the team. Teams get divided quickly, and coaches are typically the scapegoats and rightfully so. As the leader leads so goes the team.

First things first though.

You must believe responsibility ultimately rests with you, the leader.

If you’re on board with that, let’s proceed.

When a leader can get all of the members to buy into a shared value system, you have an unstoppable force that takes challenges head-on with unity and a single-mindedness. All great teams have this quality. It’s a fact that personal fulfillment goes up dramatically for team members who are blessed to be a part of this team.

If you find yourself without a clear and unifying vision founded on the values you hold dear, here’s a simple process you can take your team through to accomplish this.

1. Determine your values. Seems obvious right? Write these down.
2. Determine whether you are acting in alignment with the values. It’s merely more of living these out. Where you aren’t, be willing to call yourself out to the team. Humble leaders are in short supply, but they’re attractive to work alongside. Public admission of your own shortcomings is one of the most attractive leadership things a leader can do.
3. Engrain these values into the team. Talk about them consistently and teach them. This isn’t just painting them on a wall or creating a signature line on an email. Repeat them, again and again, to ensure the team is clear on how the value system should impact their decisions. When making decisions or implementing new policies always make the process of applying these values the starting place when communicating any change or initiative.  Repetition has always been the mother of all learning. I’ve heard it said, “if they aren’t rolling their eyes a little you probably haven’t said it enough”, and there’s probably a little more than just a grain of truth in that statement.
4. Be intentional about recognizing where you see people living them out. Team meetings, offsite events, and email updates are all places you can mention them. Catch people in the act and talk about it!

Remember why you’re doing this. Cohesiveness and momentum are necessary if you are going to accomplish big things. Unseen hurdles exist, and you haven’t a clue what those are until you are confronted with them. When they do arise the team unified by a core value system is one that’s going to win every time because everyone in the organization is equipped to make decisions both large and small that ultimately impact the course of the group. Much less friction to overcome.

Teams that share a common vision and values connect better, perform better and stick together longer. Each of these makes the upfront effort in gaining clarity and creating alignment around values worth it as an investment as a leader. Your future you will thank you for taking the time to do this!

Jim McQuaig Bio:

I am a husband, father and imperfect follower of Jesus are probably the descriptions of me that captivate most of my thoughts. Having those things right seems to make everything else fall into place a heck of a lot better. Fortunately I married someone who supports me so completely that keeping things right is so much easier!

After leaving the US Navy I embarked on a career in the mortgage business with no knowledge of what I was getting into. After over 2 decades I can say the challenges and excitement of this business far surpasses all I experienced flying P-3’s all over the world for the Navy. I’m also more excited about my business and career today than the day I first started. It truly has been a wonderful adventure and life.

If any part of this resonates with you, I encourage you to connect with me here on LinkedIn!