Your Marketing Sucks Because Your Team Is Miserable: 3 Tips to Turn It Around

Let’s be real. Most marketing strategies don’t fail because the plan is bad. They fail because the team behind the plan isn’t engaged. It’s time to have a blunt conversation about what’s really happening inside your company.

I’ve seen it time and time again: a Fortune 500 company pours millions into a new marketing campaign, hires the best agencies, and… crickets. Why? Because while everyone was focused on crafting the perfect message to the outside world, the internal team was falling apart. And a fractured team can’t deliver unified results.

Story Time: The Uncoordinated Launch

A while back, I worked with a company (let’s call them “Epic Fails Inc.”) that had it all—money, resources, and a great product. But they couldn’t figure out why their marketing campaigns kept bombing. They’d launch a new campaign, only to have the social media team post the wrong content, the sales team promote an outdated offer, and the executives scratching their heads wondering what went wrong.

After some digging, I discovered the problem: their internal communication was a hot mess. Teams were siloed, no one knew who was doing what, and morale was so low you could’ve tripped over it. They were so disconnected internally that their marketing, which needed to be a harmonious chorus, sounded more like a cat walking across a piano.

What I Learned: The Three Essential Tips for Engaging Your Team

Here’s what I learned from “Epic Fails Inc.” and countless others like them: if you want a killer marketing strategy, you need a connected, engaged team. And that starts with you, the executive. Here are three tips to get your team on board:

1. Foster Open Communication (AKA: Stop Being a Mushroom Farmer)

You know what mushrooms and disgruntled employees have in common? They both thrive in the dark. Stop cultivating an environment where people are left in the dark, only to feed them a load of fertilizer when things go wrong. Instead, encourage open communication. Make it clear that feedback—both giving and receiving—is not just welcomed but expected. This doesn’t mean you need to host kumbaya sessions every week, but make sure people feel they can speak up without fear of retribution. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to buy into your vision and contribute meaningfully.

1. Empower Decision-Making (AKA: You Hired Adults, Not Toddlers)

Here’s a wild thought: trust your team to make decisions. I’ve seen too many executives treat their team members like toddlers who need constant supervision. Newsflash: you hired these people because they’re smart and capable. Let them prove it! Give them the authority to make decisions within their realm of expertise. Not only will this free you up to focus on higher-level strategy, but it will also foster a sense of ownership and accountability within the team. And when people feel ownership, they’re more motivated to see things succeed. It’s a win-win.

1. Align Goals with Purpose (AKA: Ditch the Corporate Gobbledygook)

Nobody wakes up excited to increase quarterly profits by 2.5%. People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger. They want to know that their work has a purpose beyond the numbers. So, ditch the corporate jargon and connect the day-to-day tasks with the bigger picture. Show your team how their roles contribute to the company’s mission and vision. When people understand the why behind what they’re doing, they’re more engaged and motivated to put in the extra effort.

How Leaders Can Do Things Differently: The Real Talk

Let’s get something straight: you can’t fake engagement. You can’t put out a memo saying, “We’re all one big happy family now,” and expect your team to magically start caring. Engagement is a two-way street. It requires genuine effort and a willingness to change from the top down.

Start by leading with authenticity. Share your vision, but also be open about the challenges. Make it clear that you’re all in this together. Then, invest in your team. Provide the tools, training, and resources they need to succeed. Recognize their efforts and celebrate their wins. It’s not rocket science, but it does require consistency and commitment.

A Final Thought (Or: How to Not Be “Epic Fails Inc.”)

Your marketing strategy is only as good as the team behind it. If your team is disengaged, disillusioned, and disconnected, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on marketing—it will fail. But if you invest in building strong internal connections, you’ll create a team that’s not just willing, but eager, to help you succeed.

So, stop blaming the marketing strategy and start looking in the mirror. Your team is your greatest asset. Engage them, empower them, and watch your marketing efforts soar.

Want to turn experience a fast turn around? Want to at least talk about it? Lets grab some time on my calendar and coffee is on me. I believe in you!

https://calendly.com/teamscoach/30min