In many organizations, a common issue is a lack of alignment. Teams feel disconnected, staff members pull in different directions, and communication breaks down. It often feels like no one is truly on the same page. These problems aren’t just accidental, they stem from leadership. And leadership, in my experience, always comes down to values.

Leadership Starts with Daily Actions

Values aren’t just lofty words in a mission statement. They’re what leaders do every single day. Leadership is visible in the small actions: Are you approachable? Are you communicating consistently? Are you prioritizing what matters? Your habits as a leader set the tone for the entire team.

I’ve learned this the hard way. My biggest challenges as a leader have been when I failed to communicate clearly or didn’t act on issues quickly enough. These gaps sent the wrong signals to my team about what was important. Leadership trickles down, and if your actions aren’t aligned with your values, it’s impossible to expect the team to follow suit.

For larger teams, this extends to the management level. Your leadership team must not only align with the values but also live them daily. Leadership is only effective if it’s consistent across every layer of the organization.

The Vision Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

One mistake many leaders make is overcomplicating their vision and mission. You don’t need an elaborate or abstract statement to lead effectively. Instead, focus on something clear and actionable that drives your team. A good vision gives direction, but it also needs to feel achievable.

Think of leadership like sailing across the ocean. If you’re the captain, it’s not enough to simply say, “We’re going to the other side.” Your team needs milestones: “We’ve crossed 25% of the ocean” or “We’ve passed this island, and here’s what’s next.” These progress markers give people a sense of security and purpose, showing that you’re moving forward together.

Ask What Drives Your Team

Leadership isn’t just about the vision of the organization, it’s also about understanding the motivations of each person on your team. I remember consulting with a company where I asked the management team, “Why don’t you just ask your staff what they really want in life?” They hesitated because they were scared of the answers.

But I don’t think you should fear these conversations. Asking your team what their deep goals are can uncover simple but powerful truths. Maybe someone wants to be home for dinner every night. Maybe someone dreams of traveling more or learning a new skill. Once you know these goals, you can align the company’s objectives with theirs. If there’s a mismatch, it’s better to address it early than let it fester for months or years.

When your team feels like their personal goals are connected to the organization’s vision, you create buy-in. And when you break that vision down into daily and weekly actions, you make progress tangible and motivating.

Three Questions for Reflection

1. What values are you living out daily, and how do they align with the culture you want to create?
2. When was the last time you asked your team members about their personal goals, and how are you helping them achieve those goals?
3. Does your vision feel achievable and actionable to your team? What daily or weekly milestones can you use to track progress?

In 2023 I had the feeling that my business was on a good path but I also knew I had to figure out what the future vision for the business should be.

As business owners, we often get caught up in the day-to-day operations, making it challenging to step back and see the bigger picture. And I was a bit stuck in my current state and needed to widen my view. So I used this question:

“What would someone change on the first day or within the first year if they took over my business?”

This question forces you to view your business through fresh eyes, identifying areas that may have been overlooked or deemed “good enough” under your leadership. A new owner would likely scrutinize every aspect, from operations and finances to marketing and team dynamics, seeking immediate improvements to maximise success. It is of course similar to the principles that many use when a business wants to scale or sell, as written in the book “Build to Sell”.

Why This Question Matters

• Identifying Blind Spots: We all have biases and blind spots. A new perspective can highlight inefficiencies or outdated practices that you’ve grown accustomed to.
• Challenging the Status Quo: Complacency is the enemy of growth. Questioning existing processes can lead to innovative solutions and improvements.
• Focusing on High-Impact Areas: A new owner would prioritize changes that offer the greatest return on investment. This can help you realign your efforts toward what truly drives your business forward. For me I quickly made the decision to cut out some of the events we were doing that were not replicable and did not show any benefit to the majority of our customers.

Implementing the Insight

1. Conduct an Internal Audit: Objectively assess each area of your business. Where are the bottlenecks? What feedback have you been ignoring?
2. Seek External Opinions: Sometimes, an outsider’s perspective can provide invaluable insights. Consider hiring a consultant or discussing with a mentor which I do on a weekly basis on small or big matters.
3. Develop an Action Plan: Identify the top changes that could have the most significant impact and create a strategic plan to implement them over the next year.

The Most Important Strategy for Next Year

By adopting the mindset of a new owner, you’re positioning yourself to do the things you might be procrastinating that would lead to impactful changes. This approach could very well be the most important strategy you implement next year. It encourages continuous improvement, adaptability, and a focus on what is most important which leads to growth. Stephen Covey wrote in his book “7 Habits of highly successful people” about the principle of putting first things first and I like this quote:
“Never let something that is of less importance come in front of the most important things”

Quick 3 Questions

1. What immediate changes would a new owner prioritize in your business, and why haven’t you addressed them yet?
2. How can you objectively evaluate your business operations to uncover hidden inefficiencies or opportunities for growth?
3. Who can provide you with an unbiased perspective on your business, and how soon can you engage with them to start this transformative process?

—Rickard