While many executives invest time in crafting the perfect vision statement to bolster their team, I don’t think it is as meaningful as people think. Steve Simpson’s concept of unwritten ground rules offers a more authentic reflection of workplace culture—focusing on the actual behaviours and practices that define how a team truly operates beyond what’s stated in organisational materials.
Understanding these unwritten ground rules is crucial for any leader aiming to align culture with actual values. The old adage that people care more about what you do than what you say holds true here. Through surveys and honest dialogue, leaders need to identify whether an environment truly fosters inclusivity or merely pays it lip service on paper.
Creating a Sense of Forward Motion
The first key ingredient in motivating and inspiring a team is creating a sense of forward motion. Referencing Sir David Brailsford and the theory of 1% marginal gains, incremental progress needs to be both marked and celebrated to maintain momentum and motivation.
Balancing Challenge and Growth
Next is the challenge—your team needs sufficient challenges for growth without being overwhelmed. This balance is dynamic and requires leadership attuned to each individual's professional journey. Once someone has mastered their core technical role, consider how they might evolve by cultivating new skills or responsibilities.
Empowering Through Autonomy
Providing autonomy is another cornerstone of empowering teams. Micromanagement stifles potential and I have seen its detrimental effects firsthand. Autonomy promotes psychological well-being, particularly in professional services. Environments with greater personal agency tend to be more motivating, therefore leaders should foster as much control within roles as possible to keep their teams engaged and invested.
Defining Meaningful Goals
A meaningful goal ties all these elements together. Whether it’s solving complex client issues or simply honing one’s craft, meaningful goals provide direction. As leaders, we need to map these out clearly for our teams, ensuring everyone understands what success looks like—be it winning market share or exceeding client KPIs.
On reflection, I have made my share of mistakes. Early in my career, hiring friends and confusing confidence with competence were errors that cost me. It’s crucial to act in the business’s best interest, akin to parenting. I also learned the importance of leveraging strengths rather than focusing solely on weaknesses and the necessity to delegate effectively. Professional growth stems from playing to strengths and learning to let go.
Regardless of your technical role, if you are growing a business, you are necessarily in the people business. Many frustrations fall not with clients but with interpersonal dynamics within your workplace. As someone who works with leaders as an executive coach, I understand firsthand that every business endeavour essentially boils down to dealing with people.
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I regularly share short insights on mediation, negotiation and all things leadership. From how to optimise success in negotiations, to the skillset required to sustain high team performance and promote resilience. I share these video reflections, drawing from my experience both as a former leader in professional services and now as a mediator and leadership coach.
"Damien is an incredible Mediator. He is experienced, is always across the brief and has a depth of legal knowledge that can assist the parties to navigate even the most complex issues to reach a resolution. Damien is my first choice for any Mediation, especially for vulnerable plaintiff’s feeling overwhelmed by the process as they are immediately comforted by his affable and empathetic nature.”
Damien was engaged as an Executive Coach in our business to navigate a half-decade of poor habits, realign our leadership team and position us for a strategic exit.Facilitating an executive workshop was instrumental in resolving internal conflicts and realigning us to a collective focus on future opportunities.
I have especially appreciated your logical and calm approach to problem solving, and I have valued your methodical and composed demeanour in tackling complex issues. You have not only equipped me with effective strategies but also instilled a sense of confidence and clarity in my own decision making processes.
