A Leader's Most Significant Challenge

A leader's most significant challenge is building the right team. This critical task requires a keen eye for potential and the courage to make tough decisions. When you prioritise hiring and cultivating team members who demonstrate Effort, Discipline, Want,and Coachability, you lay the foundation for a team that can overcome challenges, pursue ambitious goals, and support each other through the peaks and valleys.

Let's explore why choosing the right people with these qualities is essential.

Effort

Effort is the foundation of a strong work ethic. It's not only about working hard; it's about showing up each day committed and giving one hundred percent. Those team members can easily be identified when tasks become monumentally challenging or monotonous. Employees who consistently put in effort will drive a team forward, inspire others, and create a culture of perseverance and dedication. Without effort, talent is wasted, and goals are left unmet.

Discipline

Discipline is essential for both personal and team success. Consistent team members can be trusted to follow through on their commitments, hold themselves accountable, and provide reliability to the team. They understand the importance of processes and routines that contribute to long-term success. Discipline fosters consistency, crucial in building trust and delivering quality results over time.

Want

"Want" is the internal drive to succeed and make a positive and significant difference. This is the most abstract quality and perhaps the most crucial. Leaders must focus on finding individuals who are passionate about the role and eager to find challenges that propel growth. Team members with a strong sense of "want" are usually proactive, self-motivated, and passionate about their work. These team members are likely to go above and beyond their job description and have an innate desire to achieve their full potential.

Coachability

Even the most talented individuals must be open to feedback and willing to learn. A coachable employee can adapt, grow, and take constructive criticism in stride. These team members are eager to improve, acknowledge their weaknesses, and embrace change. Coachability is crucial in a rapidly changing work environment where team members must be open to new ideas and approaches. Team members need to be coachable, or they will get left behind.

Hiring the right team members who embody these qualities is challenging. As a leader, the most difficult times in my career have been when I wasn't able to select my team. Working with team members who may not align with these core values makes it impossible to achieve and exceed collective goals.  Like oil and water, they do not unite.

Leaders must balance finding the right people and developing the existing team. Individuals lacking one or two qualities can be nurtured and guided. The best opportunity for nurturing is when there is a core group of team members who naturally embody these traits. These individuals set the tone for all team members.

After one hundred quarters as a sales leader, I know choosing the right people is more than filling roles. This impactful task is genuinely about fostering a team that achieves personal growth, resilience, and excellence. With the right members in place, teams can face the most demanding challenges with confidence, knowing that each person is contributing to the shared success of the group.

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