Ryan Adams, the President and Chief Operations Officer of GeoLinks, emphasizes the importance of effective leadership within a team for the success of an organization. He believes that being a leader goes beyond managing people and requires the ability to inspire, motivate, and engage employees towards a common goal. As a leader of a fast-growing telecommunications company, Adams shares his top four approaches for professionals to enhance their leadership effectiveness and drive team success.
The first approach suggested by Adams is to create and uphold clear standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOPs are step-by-step instructions that outline how tasks should be performed, including necessary tools and responsibilities. Companies embracing process standardization with the right mix of consistency and flexibility are likely to see benefits such as a reduction in errors and increased productivity. Adams emphasizes the importance of having a clear onboarding process in his company, which includes introducing new team members to a comprehensive set of SOPs, providing training sessions, opportunities for growth, and the necessary tools to perform their duties effectively.
The second approach recommended by Adams is to prioritize systems and strategies that promote consistent and open communication within the organization. Effective communication can prevent misunderstandings, disconnections, and decreased engagement among teams. Adams suggests holding regular team meetings, using digital communication tools to maintain constant contact, and implementing feedback systems for team members to voice their concerns and suggestions anonymously. By prioritizing systems and open communication, companies can proactively tackle challenges and keep their teams on the right track.
Adams also advises leaders to set recurring dedicated time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Whether a company’s team meets monthly or quarterly, having a recurring dedicated time to evaluate progress and reset team strategies keeps the entire team aligned and focused. It also provides a regular opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, reflect on lessons learned, and adjust strategies as needed. Adams shares that at his company, they deploy quarterly “all-hands-on-deck” meetings and weekly department check-ins to ensure everyone is on the same page and can voice their concerns and feedback.
The last approach recommended by Adams is to establish a culture of trust, understanding, and autonomy within the organization. Building team spirit and collaboration can feel daunting, but Adams believes it can be achieved by establishing a culture where employees feel safe to take risks and share their ideas freely. Adams emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated, which in turn motivates them to continue contributing their best work. By adopting these effective approaches, organizations can effectively manage their teams, fostering productivity, collaboration, and satisfaction.
In conclusion, effective team leadership can be achieved by marrying modern tools and systems with supportive policy and action. By adopting the approaches suggested by Ryan Adams, organizations can drive team success and create an environment where employees feel motivated, engaged, and valued. Adams’ insights serve as valuable guidance for professionals looking to enhance their leadership effectiveness and drive team success.
