• Blog & Podcasts

    “A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell      

5 Ways to Inspire Excellence in Your Team

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Published:
“A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell. Click To Tweet

There is so much written out there about leadership it can sometimes be overwhelming. Endless exhortations about what good looks like, charismatic heroes being lauded and a new term being sold as the next big thing weekly. So sometimes it helps to remind ourselves of the basics as we head into work with a thousand opportunities and issues swimming around in our heads. So what IS it as a leader of people I am here to do?

As a leader it is your responsibility to motivate your people to excellence. Your purpose as a leader is not just to get things done but to ensure that everyone knows how their contributions count towards their and their organisation’s success.

In this article I provide 5 tips for inspiring excellence in your team:

1. Build meaningful relationships

If you invest time getting to know people you gain key insights that will help you to determine how best to make use of the varying skills and talents of each individual. You’ll learn about the challenges they are facing, their ideas, observations and suggestions. Stronger relationships help leaders to manage communications more effectively and demonstrate that they genuinely care about developing team strengths and acknowledging contributions.

2. Avoid micromanaging

Set clear expectations and let people get on with it. Nothing screams lack of trust more than a micromanager. In the absence of trust, engagement and productivity levels crash. Ask yourself why you are piling in all the time. Is it you being a control freak or is it confidence in them? Either way it is demoralising and unproductive.

3. Be objective and fair

Ensure that you are not negatively biased in your assessment of people, noting the latency and recency effect. Take the time to assess your own performance before assessing the performance of others, compare the two and ask yourself whether you are being as fair as possible. Or placing blame where it is not due? Ineffective, insecure leaders tend to externalise blame when they should be holding themselves accountable. People only thrive in an environment that values equity and fairness.

4. Be a mentor and coach

Leaders who mentor and coach their team prioritise development. This is what separates a good leader from any old boss because great leaders really care about mentoring, advising and helping people be their best selves. They offer advice and wisdom to help others overcome challenges.

5. Lead by example

You can’t hold others accountable for their behaviour if you are not accountable for your own. Leading by example is an oldie but a goody. As a leader you are walking around with a loud hailer and spotlight on you constantly, that is the most powerful learning your teams are doing. Watching you. Check in with yourself regularly – if my teams all behaved as I did today would I be proud of that? Would it drive excellence and organisational success?So you don’t need a fancy new model of leadership to make a difference today.

  • Put time and energy into relationships
  • Let people get on with it and shine
  • Be fair
  • Be a coach and
  • Put the mirror up so you’re working on your own excellence every day

As always thanks for reading this and sharing it. Feel free to read more on my blog page.

If you like this, please share:

 

  • “Penny’s compelling approach to leadership is steeped in her wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom – she is an insightful and empowering mentor whose guidance has had a hugely positive effect on my approach to matters of presence, impact, self-awareness and authenticity.”

     Emma James COO Kamwell

  • “Penny for me is a stand out role model of women in leadership. She fought for my career, believed in me and showed firsthand what being a powerful woman in business can look like. For this especially I am eternally grateful.”

     Celine Floyd, Director of Leadership Assessment Capp & Co Ltd

  • “Penny was a catalyst for significant change, redefining the strategy and structure, developing the senior team to achieve their best through her coaching style and driving a more commercial approach. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with such an inspirational, innovative and insightful leader.”

     Gaynor Lewis. Head of Commercial Development. ILM

  • “Penny is without hesitation one of the best CEOs I have worked with. …She is results focussed driven and challenging combined with an engaging style, an incredible sense of warmth and a clear passion for business.”

     Sara Barrie – Sara Barrie & Associates

  • “Penny is one of the most accomplished professionals I have had the privilege of working for and with…She has a real focus on results but creates an environment/culture that allows people to be their best”

     Stephen Randall Partner Melior HR

  • “Superb at managing stakeholders, calm in a crisis and always with her sense of humour close to the surface, Penny is one of the best CEOs I’ve ever worked with and I’d have no hesitation in recommending anyone take the opportunity to work with her if they get the chance”

     Kerry Simmons Marketing Director LHH

  • “Penny was my boss and inspiration for over three years…With Penny you want to work hard and be your best. And work hard we did, but we also had a great deal of fun and satisfaction in making a difference at ILM under Penny’s leadership”

     Helen Oldfield, Sales and Marketing Director, MRS

  • “She has a strong focus on customer experience and cutting through ‘stuff’ to deliver results. I can’t think of anyone better placed to provide first class advice on business and personal growth”

     Hilary Hall, Chief Executive, National Hairdressers Federation

  • “Penny is without doubt one of the most impressive senior professionals working in the people space. Her presence, intellect and stature dictate that Penny is a leading light in her field, bringing both a commercial and deeply wise approach to business. She has other rare qualities for a senior executive, genuine charm, authenticity and humility. It is always a happy experience when one gets the chance to work with Penny and a fabulous opportunity to learn.”

     John Renz, Director at Executive Action

  • “Penny was (and remains to this day) an inspiration to me and so many others. Working with her is a highlight of my career, and one that I sincerely hope happens again!”

     Rob Sayers-Brown, Customer Relationship Manager at Eliesha Training Ltd

  • “Penny is simply outstanding in the capacity of coach and mentor. She has a warm personality which coupled with her sharp business acumen, professionalism and generosity in the way she invests in others professional growth is something which I have rarely seen in leaders who have held positions such as Penny has.”

     Caroline Mellor, Global HR Director, Transformation and Effectiveness at Dentsu Aegis Network