Growth isn’t just about the numbers

It is easy to see an increase in reported sales figures and believe it is a good thing – even when we know that profit is a better measure. But whilst numbers (any numbers) are important (I should know as a Chartered Accountant!), they are transitory and it’s all too easy to forget about personal development growth of your teams.

People are often cited as the most important asset in a business. And that’s because without great people, long term success will not be achieved.

What makes a business flourish?

Take 2 identical businesses in terms of product, processes and customers. One business may flourish whilst the other struggles. What is the difference?… The people and how they are led.

So, growing your business is not just about the numbers.  It’s about growing your people to grow the business.

Time and again, technically brilliant employees are promoted into managerial roles without any training and founders create large organisations without any leadership training.

Leadership is the skill of creating a vision; sharing it; engaging with staff and empowering them to deliver the vision.  Leadership is about growing your teams to grow the business.

So how do you grow your people and teams?

By:

• regular communications
• investing time in their development
• frequent feedback
• team meetings
• encouraging accountability
• appraising behaviours as awell as results
• educating your teams to thin for themselves and make decisions

Does any of that resonate with you?

Does it sound easier said than done? If so, it’s because it takes time and effort to invest in your staff. It takes time to train your staff instead of doing the task quickly yourself. It takes time to listen to your staff – to really hear and understand. But can you afford not to? Because that time that you spend doing the task quickly and generally fire-fighting, is time you could be spending on true leadership and strategic planning.

The ideal scenario is for a business to be investing in its people, so they feel empowered. 

Engaged and empowered staff:

• take on responsibility for delivering the company targets
• mkake decisions to make it happen
• work as a team, collaboratively problem-solving and innovating
• feel valued and fulfill in their role

When the opposite is true?

• there is a lack of accountability
• a lack of teamwork, problemsolving and innovatino
• people leave the business, resultin gin fresh costs of recruitment and training
• it has a direct impact on the numbers – especially the bottom line profit.

And what about your growth as a leader?

You may already be focusing on the development of your teams, but are you neglecting your own personal development? Do you have a coach? Do you spend dedicated time out of the business to work ‘ON’ it?

Coaching comes in many guises. Indeed there are those who call themselves a coach without any formal training.

A qualified professional coach will spend time with you:

• to identify your goals
• to bring a different perspective
• to guide/question/challenge your thikning
• to support you in achieving your goals
• and use techniques and approaches to suit you

They may work on a One-to-One basis or with the whole leadership team; or you may prefer to be a part of cross-industry leadership team to find out how other leaders manage their challenges.

If any of this strikes a chord with you…

You may wish to find out about the Growth Plans Ltd executive coaching; leadership away days and Leadership Boards^®.

Let’s grow potential together. Contact Liz Whitfield to see if she is right for you and you are right for Growth Plans^® – [email protected]