Doing the work of an integrator but not seeing a return?

Ever feel like you’re on a treadmill, sweating buckets, while your team’s having a leisurely stroll? You’ve read all the leadership books, attended the conferences, watched the TED talks and implemented the strategies. Yet, your employees aren't meeting you halfway. It’s a frustrating and demoralising situation to be in, especially when you’re putting in the effort and not seeing the results you expected.

At this point most narratives bleed off into concepts of connection and communication to understand how to motivate employees but let's not go down this well-trodden path. Let’s assume you have set the big picture, expectations, worked out employee motivation, developed feedback loops and given opportunities for empowerment (otherwise all that money and time you spent going to conferences, reading books and listening to TED talks was a waste). So, what’s the next step? How do you turn things around?

As Nick Saban, the incredible coach of Alabama, says it is really easy to be average, to be the best requires hard work and that is not average. For integrators and leaders this means, to be better than average, you have to do things that are hard which is - enforcing standards each and every time you see them not being met.

While this article started with the question of what’s next? The question really is what are you prepared to do to have the business you want? Are you prepared to hold people to standards? Are you prepared to wear the pain associated with having difficulty conversations? Are you prepared to go through recruiting processes to find the right people? Can you commit to a course of action that may take 18 months or longer to see the outcome you want? Are you prepared to commit manage with rigour while being empathetic? Do you accept that to get the business you want is a never ending quest for excellence?  

Whatever your answers to the questions above, now at least you know, and decide about what you want and what you are prepared to accept. If you feel you want that great business where you see everyone working towards the vision and don’t have the right tactical skills. That’s okay seek them out but don’t get drawn into the glamourous world of leading with only the good stuff, look to improve your skills beyond the average, whether its knowing how to have those difficult conversations, what addressing standards looks like, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

One potential solution to enhance your leadership and team dynamics is the Integrator Academy from Independent Executives. The academy offers a comprehensive program designed to equip leaders with the necessary skills to effectively manage and integrate their teams. With a focus on tactical mastery, the program provides practical tools and strategies to bridge the gap between leadership and execution.

The Integrator Academy is not just another training program. It’s specifically tailored to address the challenges faced by business leaders in aligning their teams with organisational goals. Here are a few reasons why it could be the solution you’re looking for:

1. Tailored Curriculum: The academy offers a curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of leaders and their teams. It focuses on practical, actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately.
2. Expert Guidance: The program is led by experienced integrators who have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by leaders. Their expertise and insights can provide valuable guidance and support.
3. Tactical Mastery: The academy emphasizes tactical mastery, equipping leaders with the skills to effectively manage and integrate their teams. This includes communication strategies, problem-solving techniques, and performance management.
4. Real-World Application: The program is designed for real-world application, ensuring that the strategies and tools provided can be directly applied to your organization. This practical approach ensures that you see tangible results.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re feeling stuck and your efforts to lead aren’t yielding the results you desire, it might be time to explore new strategies and the Integrator Academy. By investing in your development as a leader, maintaining standards and empowering your team, you can create a positive and productive work environment where everyone thrives.

Find out more about the Integrator Academy here

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