Leadership Impact On Productivity

Most people are taught how to be high performers. But too few are taught how to perform in a team. And that’s a problem, because in most roles, you’re not an individual contributor. You’re part of a larger entity, working with others to build something. Yet, I see founders spend hours refining their product or systems,  But don't devote time to team development. At HomeServe, I approached team performance with purpose,  And it was one of the best decisions I made. Here are 7 tools I’ve used (and still use) to build high-performing teams,  Based on real lessons from building a £4.1bn business: 1️⃣ Start With Why (Simon Sinek) ↳ Before you focus on what or how...get clear on why. WHAT – The product you sell or the service you provide HOW – What makes you different WHY – Your deeper purpose or belief Every great team needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning. 2️⃣ The 70-20-10 Rule (McCall, Lombardo & Eichinger) ↳ How people actually learn on the job: 70% from challenging experiences 20% from coaching and mentoring 10% from formal training Most teams over-invest in training, and under-invest in real development. I'm amazed at how few founders or CEOs have a coach or mentor. 3️⃣ The Trust Triangle (Frances Frei, Harvard) ↳ Trust isn’t built with perks. It’s earned in three ways: Authenticity – Are you real? Logic – Do your decisions make sense? Empathy – Do you care? Without trust, you can’t build speed or loyalty. 4️⃣ The 5 Stages of Team Development (Tuckman Model) 1. Forming – Team gets together 2. Storming – Conflicts surface 3. Norming – Ground rules form 4. Performing – Results roll in 5. Adjourning – Project ends or evolves Don't panic during ‘storming’. It’s necessary friction. 5️⃣ The Johari Window (Luft & Ingham) ↳ Self-awareness is a team sport. Open – You know, they know Hidden – You know, they don’t Blind Spot – They know, you don’t Unknown – No one knows (yet) This helps surface feedback, build confidence, and avoid surprises. 6️⃣ The Energy/Impact Matrix (Inspired by McKinsey) ↳ Map every team member’s impact vs. energy. Use it to: Make smart hiring/firing decisions Spot burnout early Retain high performers High-performing teams don’t tolerate drift. 7️⃣ The RAPID Decision-Making Model (Bain & Company) ↳ High-performing teams make fast, clear decisions. Recommend – Suggest the course of action Agree – Those who must sign off Perform – Executes the decision Input – Provides relevant facts or opinions Decide – Final decision-maker This clears up delays, dropped balls, and blame. Building a great team is about building an environment where talent can actually thrive. I go deeper into team-building in my new book. Order it today: https://lnkd.in/eRYDKXdT ♻️ Repost if you believe team performance should be built, not assumed. And for more on how I scaled teams to build a £4.1bn business, Follow me Richard Harpin.

Every team wants to get to “high performance.” Few realize what it takes to get there. These are the steps. When we talk about teams, we often picture the end state: trust, flow, collaboration, results. But that’s only the final chapter of a longer journey. Bruce Tuckman’s well-known model reminds us that teams must move through four distinct stages of development to arrive there: Forming – The honeymoon phase. People are polite, eager to fit in, and still dependent on direction. Energy is about joining the circle rather than creating results. Storming – Reality sets in. Opinions clash, people pull in different directions, and frustrations rise. This feels like failure, but it isn’t. It’s the work of building independence, boundaries, and honest dialogue. Norming – If the storm is navigated well, the team begins to align. Shared norms emerge, reflection deepens, and the group starts to coordinate effectively. Trust takes root here. Performing – Only then comes the payoff. Interdependence replaces independence. Members complement each other’s strengths, anticipate needs, and act as one. This is where impact and flow are at their peak. Here’s the critical lesson: Storming isn’t a problem to avoid, it’s a stage to embrace. Many teams fail because leaders try to skip it. They want harmony too early, so they suppress conflict. But without storming, there is no norming. Without norming, there is no performing. The strongest leaders don’t just “manage” their teams through these stages. They design for them, thereby creating space for conflict, encouraging dialogue, and guiding the team patiently toward cohesion. So: high performance is not a starting point. It’s an achievement earned by moving through discomfort. Where is your team today? And do you have the courage and patience to let the storming phase happen? === More of this? Subscribe to my Soulful Strategy newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eHSVgyVR

I'm doing my best work, yet no one seems to notice. You're trapped in The Career Growth Paradox: We all face it: • We're doing great work • We're making real impact • We're constantly improving But somehow... People don't seem to notice. So we're stuck: Speak up? Feels like bragging. Ask for feedback? Feels needy. Stay quiet? Feels invisible. Our career grows in two ways: • Doing great work (50%) • People noticing it (50%) The second part is harder than it should be. Here's why: Three cognitive biases work against us: First Impression Bias • People make quick judgments • These snap decisions stick • Your initial image becomes your permanent frame The Spotlight Effect • We think everyone's watching our improvements • They're not. People notice far less than we assume • What feels obvious to us is invisible to others Status Quo Bias • People resist updating their views • They filter new information through old opinions • Breaking out of their mental model takes intentional effort But there's a solution: Make it easy for them to notice. The Keep/Stop/Start Framework A simple tool that turns critics into coaches. Here's how it works: Set Context (share your Why) • Promotion,  • New role, or  • Development goal Ask for Specific Input • What should I keep doing? • What should I stop doing? • What should I start doing? Gather Diverse Perspectives • Your manager • Your team • Your peers • Your skip-level • Your customers Close the Loop • Synthesize the themes • Share your commitments • Ask them to hold you accountable • Follow up on progress Why This Works: • Builds accountability • Makes feedback focused • Creates clear expectations • Activates your support network The Result? You've turned your environment into a growth engine. People notice because you've shown them exactly what to watch for. That's how improvement becomes visible. That's how effort turns into impact. Want more frameworks like this? And my free template?  Sign up for my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eabhSVWq ♻️ Share if this helped 🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more simple leadership systems

Leaders: Stop winging feedback. Use frameworks that drive growth. Giving feedback isn’t easy - but winged feedback often leads nowhere. Without structure, your words might confuse, demotivate, or even disengage your team. Here are 4 feedback frameworks that create clarity, build trust, and drive growth (and 1 to avoid): 1) 3Cs: Celebrations, Challenges, Commitments 🏅  → Celebrate what’s working well. → Address challenges with honesty. → End with commitments for improvement. 2) Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) 💡  → Describe *specific* situations. → Focus on observed behavior. → Explain its impact on team or goals. 3) Radical Candor 🗣️  → Care personally while challenging directly. → Show empathy but stay honest. 4) GROW Model: Goal, Reality, Options, Will ⬆️  → Set goals for feedback. → Discuss current reality. → Explore options for growth. → Commit together on action steps. ❌ 5) DO NOT USE: Feedback Sandwich ❌  → Start with something positive. → Address areas needing growth. → Close with another positive. ‼️ This outdated model tends to backfire as people feel manipulated. Structured feedback isn’t just about improving performance. It builds trust, fosters open communication, and creates an environment for continuous learning. ❓Which framework do you use to give feedback? ♻ Share this post to help your network become top 1% communicators. 📌 Follow me Oliver Aust for more leadership insights.

Although 75% of employees recognise the value of frequent feedback, only 30% receive it. Feedback serves as the cornerstone for personal and professional development. It polishes our strengths, hones our weaknesses, and ultimately shapes us into well-rounded individuals. However, the key lies not just in receiving feedback but in actively soliciting it. The manner of requesting feedback significantly influences the response.  Unsolicited feedback, often delivered in moments of anger or extreme elation, can be skewed. Formal feedback sessions conducted with a growth mindset offer a more balanced perspective. The good news? A staggering 83% of employees welcome all forms of feedback, positive or negative. Those who actively seek feedback demonstrate a genuine commitment to self-improvement and transformation. Effective feedback hinges on a foundation of open-mindedness. Counterproductive exchanges can arise from a defensive posture. By fostering a receptive environment, we pave the way for constructive criticism that fosters genuine growth. Specificity is paramount. Don't settle for generic comments. If you're aiming to refine your people management skills, for instance, target your request: "How can I improve my people management, particularly within my team?" The feedback loop doesn't end there. After receiving insights, actively work on improvement. Seek ongoing guidance: "I'm committed to developing my people management skills. Please keep an eye on my progress and offer further feedback." Meaningful feedback, delivered and received with intentionality, is the catalyst for transformative growth. By mastering the art of soliciting and utilising feedback, we maximise our full potential, both personally and professionally. #feedback #growth #transformation #personaldevelopment #LeadwithRajeev #leadership

3 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 About Recognition That Will Transform Your Leadership. Last month, a client asked me why his top performers were leaving. The answer was painfully clear: 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻. Here's what 20 years of leadership coaching taught me about recognition: Recognition isn't a "nice to have" According to Gallup's research: - Only 1 in 3 workers strongly agree they received recognition in the past week - Employees who don't feel recognized are 2x more likely to quit in the next year - Recognition is the most forgotten element of employee engagement Most leaders get recognition wrong They wait for: - Annual reviews - Project completion - Major milestones But high-performing teams need continuous acknowledgment. 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Recognition must be: 1. Specific (tie it to actions) 2. Timely (within 48 hours) 3. Public (when appropriate) 4. Personal (show you notice details) The most powerful insight? Top performers don't just want praise. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. Here's what works: - Weekly recognition meetings - Peer nomination systems - Real-time feedback channels - Growth opportunity discussions - Personal development investments 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱. What's your most effective way of recognizing top performers? Share your insights below. Your experience might help another leader retain their best talent. P.S. Need help building a recognition-rich culture? Let's connect. [Source: Gallup - Employee Recognition: Low Cost, High Impact]

As a former Senior Director at L'Oréal, here's 5 of my best practices to lead high performing teams with excellence: #1: Create unity and togetherness There's nothing more demotivating than feeling like you're working in silo and disconnected with the broader team and vision. Create intentional moments to bring your team together so they understand their impact and can support each other to gain win-win outcomes. #2: Celebrate post-mortems as much as successes Managers often celebrate successes and move onto the next thing so quickly. The real value is in taking time to assess past projects of what could have been done better and what should be maintained. This also allows you and your teams to create best practices more systematically that can transcend other departments. #3: Never be above the work yourself The best way you can support your team is to show them you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty and help them where they're at. It's not about micro-managing but rather showing that you can support them in their roadblocks and empower them to push through without feeling alone in that. #4: Foster a feedback culture The moment your team feels open and safe to share feedback with you, this unlocks many possibilities. You encourage them to speak up, identify opportunity areas and allow them to challenge the status quo. From here, take action on the feedback. This is one of the most effective things you can do for your team. #5: Understand what motivates your team members beyond the work Take the time to ask them questions about what gets them excited? What helps them feel empowered? What helps them feel connected at work? What makes them happy? This allows you to ensure their roles are well aligned with these factors so you continuously keep them highly satisfied and engaged in a customized way. What would you add to the list? #teammanagement #peoplemanager #leadership #leadershipdevelopment

Employee performance doesn't come from tools and frameworks like goal-setting, 1:1s and reviews. It comes from HOW WELL these tools are used, the execution if you like. How to execute well? 1️⃣ Don't overwhelm employees by implementing all tools at once, start with the smallest number of 'new things' to work with. Make it easy. 2️⃣ Don't assume expert status out of the gate, like full knowledge of OKRs or experienced feedback-givers. Reduce the tools to be uncomfortably basic and give employees the joy of confidence. 3️⃣ Be 'practical' over best-practice and recognise the limited time available in the day for these activities. Ensure there is enough time in employee schedules to proficiently use the number of tools you are rolling out. 4️⃣ Personalise these tools to be relevant so its easy for employees to connect the purpose of the activity with why it would be important to them. I've been thinking a lot about the execution of effective performance lately, there are so many assumptions when rolling out a new process but they so often fly under the radar. Any one of them can bring the process unstuck. You might assume that a new platform will help with the execution, but this is not always true, especially if it doesn't meet employees in their context - their capability, time available, confidence level, experience etc.

Giving feedback is one of the most important jobs of a leader, but doing it in a way that’s both direct and constructive takes some finesse. It’s not just about telling the truth—it’s about doing so in a way that uplifts rather than discourages. Here are a few principles I’ve relied on that can help you give feedback that truly supports growth: ✅Start with care: People are more open to feedback when they know it’s coming from a place of genuine support. Show that you’re invested in their success. ✅Be specific and actionable: Vague feedback doesn’t help anyone. Focus on specific behaviors and offer concrete ways to improve. This helps the recipient know exactly what they can work on, instead of wondering if what you shared was actually feedback or not! ✅Stay future-focused: Feedback should always look forward. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, keep the conversation centered on what the person can do to improve going forward. Think of it like driving a car: your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror because there’s more opportunity ahead than behind. ✅Balance challenge with support: Feedback shouldn’t just point out areas for improvement—it should also highlight strengths and superpowers. Striking that balance helps people see what’s working while understanding where there’s room to grow. How do you ensure the feedback you give supports growth? #LeadershipDevelopment #FeedbackCulture #EffectiveCommunication

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 💡 If there's one thing that today’s workforce is clear about, it's this: 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆. Sure, paychecks matter, but there’s so much more that fuels their drive—𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀. This is something I’ve come to learn deeply, especially after joining the BNI Exclusive community. With over 3 lakh+ entrepreneurs coming together, what’s fascinating is how so many of them take up responsibilities voluntarily, without expecting financial compensation. Why? It all comes down to 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 🎖️ BNI shows us that when you create a culture that appreciates effort, people stay committed, engaged, and go the extra mile. This is a key takeaway I applied at 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘅. We designed an 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 that rewards our top performers consistently—not just with money, but with appreciation, recognition, and acknowledgment for their efforts. 🏆 If your organization is struggling with 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, here are some actionable steps to turn things around: 𝟭. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Start by recognizing small wins and contributions across the team. Create a space for appreciation beyond just yearly bonuses. 𝟮. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗹𝘆: Ensure recognition happens in front of the whole team—whether through an announcement in meetings or on your internal channels. It makes a world of difference when people know their contributions are seen by others. 🎉 𝟯. 𝗧𝗶𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: Make recognition part of reaching important company goals. Whether it's a team celebration or personal shout-outs, make it known that success is valued. 𝟰. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Sometimes the best recognition comes from colleagues. Encourage a culture where teammates can recognize each other for their efforts and contributions. 𝟱. 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: Understand that results take time. Consistent effort should be recognized too! At Recex, these principles have led to happier teams and more engaged employees. If you're facing high turnover or lack of motivation, it might be time to rethink your reward and recognition system. 💡 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Start today. Introduce one small change in how you recognize your team’s efforts, and watch how it changes your company culture for the better. Recognition isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a powerful motivator that drives long-term success. Swipe through the pictures to see some of our recognition moments! 🌟 #Leadership #TeamBuilding #RewardsAndRecognition #EmployeeEngagement #CultureOfAppreciation #Recex #BNIExclusive