Right People First

Start with right team.

I like Jim Collins, and I consider his book "Good to Great" as the best business management book I've read. In his article "First Who, Then What," he describes one of the fundamental principles for building a great team: the importance of having the right people on board first. Drawing from his extensive research on successful organizations, Collins argues that the foundation of greatness lies in assembling a team of capable and aligned individuals before you can lead them to achieve specific goals.

Especially when you start with a new team, either due to promotion or new job, your first focus should be on your team. None manager is going to be successful singlehanded, she will surely fail without a team members who are pulling their weight. On the other hand if you want to evaluate a manager look at quality of her team, how they are performing, do they cover all tasks, do they achieve results they should.

How to do it?

Collins advises managers to:

1.      Invest time and resources in rigorous hiring processes to ensure they bring the right people on board.

2.      Be willing to make tough decisions about removing individuals who are not a good fit.

3.      Continuously develop and support their team members to help them reach their full potential.

From my experience and observations of successful managers I would like to add:

4.      Start with open communication with your team, what goals you plan to achieve, what they need to deliver and what are the rules you all need to follow. You can be surprised by their response to it. 

5.      When someone from your team seems not capable of performing good enough to achieve team’s goals, look where you can use this person potential, maybe in other parts of the company or with other tasks.

6.      Remember about regular feedback on how people are doing, especially recognize when they do a good job. To get the best from your team you need to support and appreciate them.

Key to Success in a Changing World

Having the right team is more important than ever in current times. We live in a changing environment, and “what” we need to achieve is constantly evolving. Many companies are changing their approach or even their annual goals during the year. The best example was 2020 when the pandemic broke out, and suddenly what companies were planning to achieve during that year was either not possible, or achieving more or something else became a great opportunity. By focusing on people’s capabilities and creating an environment where the right people can use their talents, you ensure that your team is agile and can easily adapt to changing circumstances.

Conclusion

In today's rapidly changing world, the importance of having the right team cannot be overstated. Starting with the right people lays a strong foundation for success, allowing businesses to navigate uncertainty and adapt to new challenges and opportunities. By investing in the right individuals, fostering open communication, and providing continuous support and feedback, managers can build a team that not only meets but exceeds their goals. Embrace this principle, and you'll be well on your way to achieving greatness in your organization.

https://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/first-who.html