Welcome to our series on team building! This series is one I’ve been excited about for a while because I can share all my perspectives from having hired and managed hundreds of people throughout my career. In the coming episodes we are going to dig deep on every step I take when I bring a new role into my business, understanding the role, defining job responsibilities and goals, finding the ideal candidate, making job offers and putting it all together so it fits in with the overarching goals of the business.
Before we get into this, I’m going to take you on a little side mission to take care of something most people ignore far too long when building a business…
This is something you should do BEFORE you ever sit down and interview a candidate, really this is something you should do even if you never plan to hire someone… I like to call it 'step zero'. What I want to do is help you understand the core of your business - its mission, vision, and values. These elements are not just corporate crap; if you do it right, this becomes the compass of your company. Something to weigh decisions against, hold you steady on your mission and attract the right people while repelling the ones who don’t belong.
However, it's not just about drawing in the right people or clearing the wrong ones out. It's actually the most powerful as a cultural foundation for the people who make up your team, your active members. The right Mission, Vision and Values can foster a sense of purpose and commitment that goes deeper than the paycheck. Remember, if you want someone to show up with the same level of commitment you do in your business, you will need something more than just a paycheque to motivate them over the long term.
In industries like real estate, for instance, potential team members often focus on earning potential or 'splits'. Sure, these of course can be important considerations, but, at the same time, I always found an over aggressive focus on the financials a red flag. It suggests a lack of commitment to the broader goals and values of the business.
If someone coming into your business is only there for the money, they won’t feel committed to staying for the long term, and they usually leave if they feel the grass is greener somewhere else. Putting your team on a shared mission with a clear and exciting vision of success can tie your group together at a deeper level and not only will your business be more sticky, you’ll attract higher levels of talent as well.
If you don’t have a clear mission and vision for your business, then you will only ever attract team members based on the financial opportunity.
So if the mission isn’t money driven, what is it?
The second level is centred on conversations about career opportunities within your business. Now it’s not just about how much money they can make but how much they can advance in their role within the business. People who are looking for more than just a job, aiming to grow and advance within your organization, are often the most motivated and productive team members.
Level three is where your business represents a sense of community to the members. Its an opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. Sometimes it’s represented as a business which operates like a family, enjoying eachothers company and supporting each other. Often it can be about the momentum the group creates and being part of the success they are living.
One of the most powerful opportunities you can create as a business owner is the opportunity for your members to develop themselves. Creating an environment where you guide people through leveling up their skills and developing themselves to be better and live better is incredibly attractive. A business focused on providing exceptional personal development is not only attractive to people, it’s attractive to the RIGHT people. I don’t know about you, but my ideal team mates are people who want to grow to be the best they can be. If I can make that happen then I get a team of rockstars and they grow along with me through their career. Personally I would call that a win!
The most powerful opportunity though, is having a mission which is bigger than your business, and building a team which rallies around it. From aspiring to do good in the world to aiming for industry leadership, a shared mission cultivates dedicated employees who often remain loyal for life. A strong mission can significantly impact attracting the right people, unifying your team and driving it towards a magnetic purpose.
Alright, hopefully I’ve sold you on this by now… Let’s dig in and learn a little more about what these actually are.
Crafting Your Mission, Vision, Values
Your mission is the purpose or reason behind your organization's existence. It isn’t a point in time or a destination, it’s the thing you have committed yourself to achieving. Your Vision on the other hand, actually is the destination itself. Your vision is what the world will look like when your mission is accomplished. Tying it together, your Values, guide behavior and decision-making, shaping the overall organizational culture.
So, how do you create and share these statements effectively?
This deserves considerable thought, so don’t rush it. Taking an entire day to craft these would not be a waste of time. Think ahead on how it will be received not only by your team but your clients as well. Is it appropriate ONLY for your team members or is it appropriate for public facing use as well?
Your Mission:
Your mission should be a journey that describes the path you're on, what you hope to achieve, and what you stand for. It doesn't have to be tied to a charitable cause; it could reflect personal goals like financial independence or finding time for passions. Aligning your business with your passion ensures enjoyment and motivation for growth.
For instance, in real estate, a compelling mission statement might be "To create wealth through real estate". This not only drives business growth but also provides a solid foundation for your actions. It's crucial to replace short-term goals with long-lasting commitments that align with your values and resonate with those you wish to attract. At Endgame our Mission is to Partner with outstanding people and build amazing businesses.
Your Vision:
The vision is a reflection of what the world looks like when your mission is successful. Our vision is to help entrepreneurs create wealth by providing the environment they need to thrive. How can you create a vision which is inclusive of everyone you want to serve? What details can you add while still keeping it vague enough that it doesn’t exclude anyone or limit your organizations potential?
Your Values:
This is maybe the most important part. The values are how you guide yourself along your journey. Your beliefs, the principles and standards you uphold yourself to. Some of our values at Endgame are focused on how you show up, some are focused on our perspectives on business and life and finally, what’s important to us.
Once you’ve got this figured out, your mission, vision, and values are not just words on a page; they are the heartbeat of your organization. They should be authentic, align with your passions, and resonate with your team and clients. They should be something you come back to and align with constantly, part of your culture and daily conversations. They help you keep yourself in alignment with not only your team members but with your goals and your vision as well.
Take the time up front to learn more about the business you are building before you get too far ahead. You’ll be glad you did it in the long run.
Sean
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