By Rural Coach Partner Sarah Barr.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, the strength of a company’s workforce is often its most valuable asset. Yet, many leaders face a common challenge: staff turnover can be high, and recruitment can be time-consuming and costly to the business.
Staff don’t leave ‘Jobs’, they leave ‘People’!
This is the driving force behind the People360 Assessments that we are privileged to conduct for many businesses each year. These assessments open the door to comprehensive feedback on their people leadership practices—feedback that can sometimes be difficult to hear, but when acted on can pay huge dividends.
Why Inviting Feedback Matters
Inviting constructive feedback is courageous; it signifies that leaders are committed to learning and growing. By understanding how their leadership is perceived, they can take action to enhance their team's experience and address the concerns that may be causing turnover or poor business performance. The ultimate aim? To create a workplace environment where employees feel valued, understood, and connected to the broader goals of the organisation – so they and your business can thrive.
Identifying the Disconnect
A recurring theme in the People360 assessments is the notable disconnect between what leaders believe they deliver and what their team actually experience. Closing this gap provides the greatest opportunity for improved business and individual performance. Many employees have little to no understanding of how their contributions fit into the bigger picture, leading to disengagement and frustration.
The Importance of Purpose
People need to know the “why” behind their work. Understanding the organisational objectives helps employees find meaning in their roles and see the value of their contributions. This clarity is essential for fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.
Building a High Performing Team
To bridge the gap between leadership and employee engagement, we often follow up with a High Performing Team workshop. This workshop allows teams to collaboratively define “how we do things around here.” By co-creating team norms and practices, employees gain a sense of ownership, which is crucial for meeting their basic human needs:
1. Autonomy: The ability to have control over one’s work and make choices fosters trust and encourages innovation.
2. Competence: Opportunities for personal and professional development empower employees to grow and excel in their roles.
3. Belonging: Creating an inclusive environment where team members feel valued and understood enhances connection and loyalty to the team.
Combining the insights from the People360 assessment with the High Performing Team workshop provides a solid foundation for success. This powerful approach not only helps leaders understand their impact but also equips employees with the tools they need to thrive.
Conclusion
In a world where talent is often in high demand, enhancing your team’s performance is imperative. By investing in your leadership development and fostering team engagement, you create an environment where employees feel motivated, competent, and connected. Courageous leaders who embrace feedback and take action are the ones who will ultimately drive their organisations toward success.
Completing a People360 Assessment and a High Performing Team workshop creates a solid foundation for everyone, & your business to achieve high performance.
If you want to learn more about our Farm Teams & High Performance services, please click here.
Photo credit: Anna Munro/Cravendale
