They Must Leave Better Than They Arrived
This has been a mission of ours at Building Champions since the inception of the company back in 1996. Recently, I have been giving this much thought as we are in the process of adding a new member to our team.
I believe that most leaders have a desire to see that the experience they help to create in their organizations causes people to grow. They want their team members to be better equipped and more skilled as a result of their time in the organization, which will lead them to make a greater difference in their future ventures.
What I am unsure of is how many of us actually do this well.
While we search for just the right candidate for the position we are hiring for, I will be involved with our round two and three interviews. I will be examining how they will fit into our culture, how skilled they are, how they communicate, and how they see themselves adding to our culture. I want to understand what they will bring to the table that will make us better than we are today.
As a leader, I accept responsibility for ensuring that our teammates are in a position to grow and improve over time.
I must ensure that the managers within our team have the disciplines and plans in place to train and teach those they serve. Each of our teammates must also be engaged in seeking out ways that cause the rest of us to grow and improve – both as a team and as individuals. This kind of growth starts from the top down, but in the right environment, it also moves the other direction.
The magic happens when all of us, in our individual roles in each of our departments, are proactively thinking about ways to help others in the organization to grow and improve. The result is stronger individuals, increased team unity, and better value to our customers.
In this kind of culture, your team members can’t help but leave better than when they arrived. It is up to you and me to make sure we are adding value today. If we do this well, they may stick around for a good and long time!
Hire great people. Then help them to be even better.
Related posts:
- Me First!
- You’re Not Doing That Well
- 8 Steps to Increase Your Leadership Capacity (Series)
- Be Hungry and Humble (Increasing Your Leadership Capacity Series — Step 4 of 8)
- How Handheld Knowledge Has Changed Leadership
Tags: Hiring, Leadership, Learning and Development, Teamwork, Vision
Daniel, it’s amazing how much the business world and teaching are alike. My main goal is to create an atmosphere where my students can grow in their knowledge, understanding, and skill. Yes, we want our employees and our students to leave better than they arrived. Thanks for your post–it’s a good read!
You are very welcome Patricia,
Thank you for always adding your insights and perspectives. They are valuable!
Daniel, this is a great post! I love the way you describe your culture. In particular, I like what you said about thinking of ways within the organization to help others grow and improve.
There is something really stimulating about being around people who take their own growth and development seriously.
The other day I was in my office when a man, about 85 and a member of our church, stopped by. He asked for a few minutes of time. He sat down, took a pen/paper from his picket, and asked me about two books that I had mentioned in a talk that I gave. He was on his way to Barnes and Noble to order the books.
This man is a former college president and psychologist. Yet, he continues to be very serious about his own growth.
I appreciate your blog.
Thank you Jim,
I appreciate your affirming words on my Blog. It sounds like you got to meet with a “Life Long Learner”. I love meeting people like him!
Thanks for this culture
Actually, I think if the organization follows this kind of culture, most of the team will not hope to leave & will do their best to improve it.
As when leaders care about employees they give them a push to do the same for the organization.
I agree!