Communication and listening to your employees. The key to success
The foundation of a company’s success lies in its ability to effectively manage and execute its vision, mission, and values. These elements are not just statements on a wall but guideposts that shape decision-making, culture, and operations. To achieve sustainable growth, a company must prioritise clear communication, strategic planning, and employee engagement.
Throughout my career, both as an employee and a senior executive consultant, I’ve observed many business owners overlook simple principles that drive success. Some CEOs believe, “My employees are happy to have jobs; they should work harder than I do.” This outdated mindset fails to recognise that owners must be the hardest workers. Your commitment to the company’s success should be evident. While founders and owners can’t do everything, they must trust their leadership teams to make decisions and drive success.
Listen to Your Team: Businesses must actively listen to their staff, suppliers, and customers. The greatest return on investment comes from engaging with employees. Retention and job satisfaction are crucial, fostering speed and care — key competitive advantages that build trust in your product and service. Your staff, grounded in the trust and engagement you cultivate, are invaluable in ensuring your product meets client needs, often testing it more thoroughly than QA teams.
Eliminate Workplace Drama: If you manage people, work to eliminate workplace drama and politics. Take the time to meet with employees personally. Don’t delegate this; engage directly to understand their priorities, whether related to work-life balance, compensation, or their roles.
Build Genuine Connections: For key employees, consider taking them out for lunch or dinner to have genuine conversations. Don’t take them for granted; building bonds through open dialogue and empathy can prevent turnover and costly rebuilding efforts.
Embrace Feedback: Be open to feedback — both positive and negative — as it is vital for your company’s growth. Many leaders express empathy but fail to extend it to their employees, who are your greatest asset. They are the face of your brand, and their service delivery is crucial. When employees feel valued, their dedication shines through, ensuring that speed and care remain your strongest competitive advantages.
To build upon these foundational elements, companies must also focus on the following key areas:
Structure: A well-defined organisational structure provides clarity on roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines. It ensures that tasks are carried out efficiently and that accountability is maintained. A clear structure eliminates confusion and enables employees to work toward common goals seamlessly.
Checks and Balances: Checks and balances safeguard the company against errors, fraud, and inefficiencies. By implementing oversight mechanisms, such as internal audits and approval processes, companies can maintain integrity and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This not only protects the business but also enhances its reputation.
Risk Analysis: Every business decision carries an element of risk. Conducting thorough risk analyses helps companies anticipate potential challenges and prepare contingency plans. By identifying and addressing risks proactively, organisations can avoid costly mistakes and remain resilient in the face of adversity.
Budgets: A well-crafted budget is the backbone of financial stability. It ensures that resources are allocated wisely, expenses are controlled, and financial goals are met. Budgets provide a framework for decision-making and help companies stay on track toward profitability and growth.
Business and Department Plans: Aligning department-level goals with the overall business strategy is critical. Department plans ensure that every team understands their role in achieving the company’s objectives. These plans promote coordination and prevent silos, ensuring that efforts across the organisation are cohesive and effective.
Operating Procedures: Standardised operating procedures (SOPs) establish consistency and efficiency in day-to-day operations. They reduce the likelihood of errors, improve training processes, and enable scalability. SOPs are particularly important for maintaining quality and meeting customer expectations as the company grows.
Conclusion: Fostering a culture of engagement and empathy not only strengthens your team but also drives your business toward greater success. Owners must lead by example, demonstrating commitment to the company’s goals while empowering their teams to excel. By integrating vision, values, and practical tools like structure, checks and balances, risk analysis, budgets, and operational plans, organisations create a solid foundation that supports innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity. Let’s prioritise our employees and recognise their value in achieving our goals.