As a part of DRI’s Olympic Summer Series, we are offering you exclusive advice on how to achieve your dream team. Whether you are a manager or a president, we offer you leadership advice to best propel your team into the future. Olympians aren’t born, they’re trained.  

Training Your “Olympians” 

As a leader, you are only as strong as the weakest member of your team. Your job is to make sure that everyone is in the right place to work towards the whole group’s success. By giving them opportunities that can lead to increasing their own capacities, you invest in your team. When you place high value on each individual member and share their contributions openly, bonds deepen, and teams can understand the greater purpose.  

Getting the “Go(a)ld”  

Start with communicating clearly and concisely. Don’t expect your team members to just know exactly what you mean. If you have communicated your goals clearly, they will feel more driven to provide it for you. To reach and exceed goals, your team must all be on the same page. By sharing a roadmap for success, all team members can have a clear idea of where exactly they are going. Start by setting SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, and with a Timeframe. By setting goals with these attributes in mind you and your team can deliver results.  

Championing your Team 

Listening leads to Leadership. By appreciating your team members and championing their greatness, you can more easily communicate your goals with your team. Winning teams are developed under leaders who can flex and bend their own personalities around each team member’s needs.   

Create and cultivate your team’s culture. Whether it comes from leadership or is discussed as a team, creating shared guidelines can ensure a streamlined process for how people will work together. You must commit to this culture. The most important thing for a company to live by is their stated values. When you find people that exemplify your core values, it is easier to promote and reward them.