"Great leaders don't create followers—they create more leaders by understanding hearts, not just minds."
Understanding What Drives Your Team
Take time to discover what motivates each person on your team. These motivations change over time, so regular check-ins are essential. In impact-driven businesses, team members join because they believe in your vision and want to help you succeed.
Creating a Culture of Appreciation
Express genuine gratitude for your team members’ contributions. Creating an environment where people feel valued, appreciated, and desired is crucial for retention. While constructive feedback is necessary, negative behaviors like yelling or demoralizing team members are never acceptable.
The True Cost of Poor Leadership
The expense of rehiring and retraining far exceeds the investment in retention. If you can’t offer competitive pay initially, find other meaningful ways to show appreciation and ensure the exchange feels equitable, especially for those putting in extra hours.
Invest in Your Leadership Skills Early
For growing entrepreneurs, developing leadership abilities now is crucial. It’s much easier to establish effective practices with a small team than to correct poor habits later. Consider leadership training to strengthen these essential skills as your business expands.
Effective leadership requires understanding your team’s unique motivations, creating a culture of appreciation, recognizing the high cost of turnover, and investing in leadership development early. When you lead from the heart, you create an environment where people bring their best selves to work every day, helping you collectively achieve your vision.
