Richard Washington ✅️’s Post

Energize your team to exceed expectations! How? Find out the untapped power of appreciation! 👇 Never underestimate the power of appreciation. 🌟 Your team's commitment and hard work? The golden glue holds everything together as we sail these stormy seas. 🌊 Recognize their efforts, cherish their dedication, and most importantly, THANK them for their unwavering service. 🙏 Why? Because appreciation isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. It's the fuel that drives people to exceed expectations. In these unparalleled times, a little recognition goes a long way in acknowledging the remarkable sacrifices and inspirational work our employees deliver daily. ✨ Take a moment. Show gratitude. 💖 It motivates your team to push boundaries and sparks a culture of acknowledgment that spreads like wildfire. 🚀 Let's not just reach our goals; let's surpass them by creating an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Remember, a simple 'thank you' can work wonders. 🌈 💭 What are your thoughts? How do you energize your team?

For years, I was the guy who was "doing a lot" but "not getting a lot done." I’ve become very conscious of our team potentially falling into the same trap. I know firsthand that feeling ; "ultra" busy without real progress is a fast track to burnout and a lack of motivation. I make it a point to meet with each member of my team regularly, not to micromanage, but to ensure they’re staying laser-focused. Honestly, I only know about 10% of the specifics of what they’re doing, but my goal is to help them avoid the pitfall of just being "busy." Of course, there’s a business side to this—ensuring our team is productive and hitting their targets is crucial for the company’s success. But equally important is their sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that comes with achieving those targets. It leads to lower stress levels, more satisfaction in their roles, and, ultimately, a happier team. What’s your take on this?

There ya have it folks... Your talent sets your floor. Your character sets your ceiling. When building a team... Talent is not enough. You need discipline. You need dedication. You need character. More men have failed, not for lack of talent but for lack of character.

I'm blessed to have a lot of team members with an entrepreneurial spirit. They take initiative to just get things done--othen doing them well despite the obstacles inherent in any small company. However, today as I was talking to my team about it, one thing I noticed is that we often try to go it alone. I think this is normal. We desire autonomy, achievement, and control over each outcome. We fear being perceived as incompetent if we need help or make a mistake. But we are not made to be this independent! We really do need one another and can't do it alone. Not learning to rely on others often leads to burnout, distrust, resentment, or worse. I challenged them and myself to be vulnerable and fight perfectionism and pride. It requires self-knowledge and humility, which can be painful, but are necessary to be successful. Being able to receive the grace of others teaches us to receive the grace of God too. So this kind of work environment and good coworkers can become an opportunity to grow in virtue.

There are two mental pitfalls I advise my team to avoid: Thinking they can do it all, and getting too comfortable.   1: The day someone thinks they’re smart enough to do everything themselves, they close a door to greater things they could accomplish with a team. 2: When someone gets too comfortable in their role and stops pushing themselves, it’s time for a reset. Complacency stifles creativity and innovation.   Staying conscious of our mindset ensures we’re not stunting our own growth.

Talk to people like humans. Focus first on building a relationship and not seeing someone as a cog in the machine. You will completely change the dynamic of what it means to build a high-performing team. In the end, it's about achieving goals and lifting people up. Build the relationship, seek understanding and humanize the connection. That should always be the first step. Do this and you will create a culture of respect that leads to connection-- which empowers results.

Something that i read today and i strongly agree.... What’s the reason of having a team? The reason is to split the work and to utilise the strengths of each individual. To do that you need to empower your employees to be creative and confident enough to take action. Only people who feel empowered have the confidence to make their own decisions. Ultimately, that’s the reason they got hired in the first place. What’s the reason of having a team, if you want to decide everything yourself anyway? Empowered people who have the feeling that they can make a difference by contributing will be way more confident and motivated to take action and walk the extra mile.

Heard. Seen. Appreciated. Ask and we will tell. In 1:1, I would ask two questions everytime: 1. If you were me, what would you focus on that we currently aren’t as a team? 2. What do you believe I pay too much attention to? Now these questions only work if trust and respect is built and present. But they do work. What’s a question you ask in your 1:1?

What is the value of the company you started? One of the key aspects to that answer is how much the company can do without you being in every aspect of it. Even if it feels hard, you have to always think about how you can delegate and empower others. That is where the true value can scale. - Delegate and Elevate to your unique ability. Reflect on how many hours a week you are doing things that you only would pay €20/hour for vs the most impactful things you do - Find people to work with you that love doing the things you dislike, are bad at or are low cost - Systemize and structure the team step by step to make things less dependent on each person. That makes it even easier for individuals to shine and become their best. - But the first prio is of course to never lose track of the customer value that your company creates (and not just you as a person) What else do you see that an owner of a small-/ medium sized company can do to increase the company value?

Managing a team is an ongoing opportunity to learn and grow. Here's what I've gathered so far: 👉 It's a balancing act. Not everyone will nod in agreement to your decisions. And that's okay. 👉 The power of connection is real. Don't underestimate the value of spending quality time with your team. Understanding their roles and lifting them up fosters unbeatable collaboration. 👉 Step into the unknown. Yes, taking risks feels like walking a tightrope sometimes, but that's where the magic happens. 👉 Trust is the glue. Rely on your colleagues, and watch your collective efficiency soar. Plus, it's a surefire way to make them feel valued and empowered. What would you add?