Do you think of each person on your team as a vital member of your organization? Or are they simply employees to whom you write a paycheck a couple of times per month? Whether you have two employees or 500 employees, I want to suggest that all of them – even down to the delivery guy – matter for the success of your business. Whether their part seems very important or it’s a job that “anyone” could do, realizing how each team member impacts your organization is a concept that can take your business from good to incredible.
The Impact of Each Team Member
Our first team member was a young lady named Nicole who had recently graduated from college and had a background in graphic design. Nicole was a creative person who had some experience in design, but lacked business experience.
On the contrary, my dad and I had lots of business experience, but had a complete lack of knowledge and understanding when it came to graphic design.
It was a great combo.
The first day that my dad and I sat down with Nicole, my dad told her, “If you teach us design, we will teach you the business.”
We needed someone like her, and we knew it. We didn’t have the skills she had, and we weren’t afraid to admit it.
Seventeen years later, Nicole still remembers this conversation, and it still means the world to her.
Webster defines a team as a group of people who are “marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement”.
Individually, we knew the business world. Nicole was a talented graphic designer. To make the business work, we needed both.
How Even the Delivery Guy Impacts Your Organization
I know what you might be thinking: “Okay, but graphic design is important. A lot of our team members have jobs that aren’t all that important. One of our guys just does deliveries. Anyone can do that.”
Hold on! Think about that delivery driver again. He’s representing your organization in the last step of the sales process. Furthermore, he’s the one who might even be making the most person-to-person contact with your customer.
He has the opportunity to represent your company well by showing up on time, being polite and friendly, and perhaps even developing a relationship with the customer. The way your delivery driver represents the company reflects the entire company.
Based on the way the customer perceives your driver, they may start thinking that your organization is a great place to work. They may get the idea that you treat your employees well, and that they want to support a business like that. Maybe they have a family member that’s looking for a job, and they recommend your organization.
Are you starting to see how each team member impacts your organization? That delivery guy isn’t “just a driver”. “Just a driver” drops the package on the porch and that’s it. That delivery guy is part of your team. And each team member is vitally important to the process.
Do Your Team Members Know How Important They Are to Your Organization?
Do each of your team members know that they have a vital role in the success of your organization? Does each person feel heard, and like their ideas matter?
If you’re not sure, ask them! Ask them how they think their job impacts the organization. And while you’re at it, ask them what ideas they have for how you can work together as a team even better. And remember, for a team that keeps improving, learning, and moving forward, humility is key.
Ready to Build Your Team?
Whether you’re a business owner or team manager, you can impact the way your team operates. My book, We Before Me, is full of practical examples, engaging stories, and real-life advice. I’d love to share with you what I’ve learned over the years of building a team-oriented culture. Order your copy today!
