Team productivity has a significant impact on your revenues and profitability. However, founders often don't recognize their role in fostering performance.
As a startup grows, successful founders must transition from being the top contributor to the head motivator.
“A good leader is someone who can motivate
and inspire others to achieve great things."
- Zig Ziglar
Of course, this is easier said than done.
If you’re ready to pivot and increase your impact, let’s grow!
Provide Direction
Numerous studies have investigated the best ways to increase productivity.
Consistently, they found that setting ambitious yet attainable and specific objectives is the best approach.
“Speed is only useful if you are
running in the right direction."
- Joel Barker
Founders must rigorously define, communicate, and assess company goals.
Align Performance
Job responsibilities and metrics must align with company and team goals.
In performance reviews, connect company success and individual contributions starting with onboarding. Everyone should know how their role directly impacts company outcomes.
Capture Metrics
Many leaders and managers confuse activity with results and outcomes.
Activities (hours, tasks, etc.) drive results, but those results may not result in the intended outcomes. For instance, sales outreach can result in meetings, but the desired outcome is winning deals.
Successful leaders discover what activities and results cause positive impact.
Offer Feedback
Feedback is not only about praise. In fact, constantly cheering on employees can demotivate them. Effective feedback relies on honesty and empathy.*
Tell people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. However, make sure that any feedback is constructive and fosters meaning.
Being open to feedback models this skill (and generates useful insights).
Motivate Individuals
People's motivations often involve three dimensions:
Power. Desire to be perceived as influential, e.g. excited to meet a board member.
Achievement. Seek to complete tasks and projects, e.g. motivated by the opportunity to solve a new, challenging problem.
Affiliation. Crave the approval of others, e.g. eager to organize the next social event.
Through these dimensions, you realize what could motivate one person also could discourage another.
Pro Tip: Improving performance does not always require spending money. The examples above require no significant cost.
High productivity relies on your clear communication, aligned performance, constant measurement, candid feedback, and effective encouragement.
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* Kim Scott’s book is a great read here: Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
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