The Hard Truth About Building Great Teams

Sometimes, it feels like we’re constantly juggling, especially in a world where change is the only constant. Technology is evolving at lightning speed, and what was today’s craze becomes yesterday’s news. Our personal lives never seem to pause: kids, families, latest trends, our homes, how and where we shop…the list goes on.

As the Head of HR with 20+ years of leading teams across the utility business and financial services, I found the reality to be that nothing is going to stop these changes from happening, and it’s not something we can control. However, amidst all of this in our careers, we have chosen to take on the great responsibility of leading others. And when asked why I chose to lead, the answer was simple: “People are my passion!” No matter the condition I find myself in, my mission has been to serve the teams I have led. Now, if we take this notion further, leadership is something far bigger than the individuals. No organization or team isn’t trying to turn up the notch on performance in this ever-changing world. I have learned that when granted the power to lead, we’re accountable not only to the organization but also to our people and ourselves. During chaos, our people look to us to lead them to greatness and bring out the best in them. We need to determine when to STEP UP, STEP IN, or STEP BACK.

So, you’ve made the courageous choice to lead—it’s time to STEP UP. Leading can be overwhelming, but it should be. It’s a great responsibility, and as leaders, we are always on stage. Many people tend to freeze when they’re on stage; yet we must embrace this responsibility and own it. You will never have all the answers, but you do need to have a voice to set the strategy, lay out the expectations, and make decisions. You’re not alone; build your ‘personal board of directors,’ those whom you trust to hold the mirror up and assist you in STEPPING UP!

It must be the times we are in, but we often hear complaints like, “No one wants to work,” “I can’t get people to come in,” or “They didn’t show up to the development program!” Call me old-fashioned, but I cringe when I hear these common excuses. I can’t help but think, “Where’s the leader and why aren’t they STEPPING IN?” We commit a great disservice to our people when we don’t address that our expectations are not being met. When they don’t know, they can’t correct; when they can’t correct, the individual and the organization suffer. We owe it to our people to call time-out and STEP IN. As leaders, we must know when to hold the line and address team norms, results, and expectations. When these aren’t being met, it’s time to step in, be the coach, blow the whistle, and call a time-out. Whether it’s celebrating a great win or course-correcting, our people are looking to us to make that call.

Lastly, it’s essential to know when to STEP BACK. Once you’ve stepped up and established expectations, and stepped in to guide the team, it’s time to step back and let the team solidify and demonstrate their capabilities. That’s what you are developing them to do. This is also the time for you to step back and focus on your development by staying relevant and taking care of yourself.

While life’s circumstances may seem to have amplified, the principles of leadership are unchanged. Demonstrate the courage to STEP UP, the confidence to STEP IN, and the competence to STEP BACK should serve as a reminder of the responsibilities we owe to our people and the organizations we serve. Let’s continue to lead with purpose, impact, and dedication.