How To Build An Environment That Creates A-Player Employees

As a business owner, you'll find that sooner or later you'll have to hire employees to work beside you. This is one of the many new experiences that come with building your business from the ground up, and you’ll obviously want to hire the best fit for the positions that you need.

It’s the smart thing to do! But as with everything else, you need to KNOW what you are doing if you want to get good results. There are lots of common mistakes to avoid, and one of the most rampant ones starts with you.

I want to get into it, but first, let’s discuss something important. We’ve all heard that A-players are needed for the growth and success of your business right? But, what do we define as A-players?

Steve Jobs popularized the term ‘A-player’, which he used to describe highly competent employees that benefit a company by not tolerating inferior work. Jobs was a brilliant leader who could recognize potential, and who understood the value of good and dedicated employees. Hence, he understood the power of building a team with these A-players

And I agree!

As a business owner, it’s your job to find the right people to work in your company. Those who fit what you are looking for in terms of values, interests, dedication, and experience.

However, less experienced business owners tend to assume that hiring these ‘A-players’ is enough for a business to grow.

WRONG

Jobs had high standards for his employees and expected them to deliver. He hired intelligent, talented people who he could trust to run things without him being around. But here’s the thing: Apple has mastered the art of providing employees with an environment where they can grow and do their best work.

So, let’s talk about how to build an environment where your employees can thrive

Clear Expectations for Employees

By knowing what is expected of them, employees can do their job more effectively. This is because clear expectations help people understand their responsibilities, what they need to accomplish, and how their work contributes to the business they work for. Understanding what they need to do also improves their focus and motivation, as their goals appear within reach.

Autonomy and Empowerment

When you hire someone it’s understood that you trust them to perform a given task. So, instead of hovering over them from day 1, provide your employees with a sense of autonomy and empowerment by letting them take ownership of their work. 

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be supervising their work, but employees deserve to feel trusted, and this trust will make them feel more invested in their jobs. Employees who feel empowered may also be more creative and innovative in their approach to their work.

Opportunities and Growth for Employees

Some of the biggest companies out there (like Apple and Google) offer consistent opportunities for their employees to learn and develop skills. These opportunities include things like training, mentorships, career development programs, and continuing education. By doing this, companies create a culture of learning and improvement, benefitting not only the individual but their business as a whole. This is crucial if you want to keep them engaged and motivated.

Just by offering regular training programs you are ensuring that your employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to do their job. This includes training on new technologies, processes, tools, communication, and leadership. Access to training opportunities improves the overall quality of work and productivity.

Proper Systems and Organization

Having good systems in place helps employees do a better job by reducing the time and effort needed to complete tasks. Systems help in minimizing errors and they ensure consistency, which leads to more productivity and an overall better work environment by making tasks clear to everyone. 

Moreover, systems can also improve communication within the team, since they prevent misunderstandings and delays. With proper systems in place, employees can focus on their core responsibilities. Systems include things like automated workflows, streamlined processes, and clear guidelines for completing tasks.

Proper KPI Recordings

Key Performance Indicators are metrics that help measure the success of a particular aspect of a business. Lots of investors underestimate how important it is to record these different indicators and find themselves not understanding what’s going on in their business. Recording KPIs helps employees understand the impact of their work on the business that they work in.

By tracking their progress, employees and business owners can identify areas for improvement. By setting clear KPIs and tracking progress, employees can stay motivated and engaged thanks to the clear focus KIs offer.

Summary

Hiring an A-player is important when it comes to building a successful business but creating a working environment where employees can thrive is just as important. This involves providing opportunities for growth and development, regular training, efficient and effective systems, and tracking Key Performance Indicators. 

These factors can help employees feel engaged, motivated, and supported, which ultimately leads to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and a more positive work environment.