Nothing great in history has ever been built by one person alone.
Successful organizations rely on their employees, who are their greatest asset and opportunity. Investments in training, development, and retention are crucial.
Every successful organization may rally behind a charismatic leader or founder, but it is the army of people behind them who are ultimately responsible for helping them get to where they are - and making sure they stay there. Untold amounts of money are spent on Human Resource activities like recruiting top talent, interviewing, and onboarding. But how much time and money are actually invested in their training, development, and retention initiatives?
Sometimes, when one of our people fails us, it is really we who have failed them. Just because you are a leader does not mean you can expect everyone to bend to your authoritarian rule. Effective leadership involves understanding each employee's unique needs and communicating accordingly. Balancing the need to address poor fits and retaining valuable employees is essential for a healthy culture. Yes, some may not be a good fit for your organization or the specific role they are in. These are the situations where your leadership burden is to understand why and assess what available options are worth trying. Yet there is a delicate balance. Keeping the wrong people around for too long can lead to a toxic culture, but getting rid of the right ones too soon will also make others question their job security. Herein lies the importance of perceptivity and understanding your people on a deeper level.
H. Marc Helm has written three books on the principles of management, leadership, and talent development, drawing from his unique corporate, educational, and military backgrounds. Marc was not born with wealth or fame. Business connections and opportunities for advancement did not come easy to the son of an auto mechanic, so Marc seized every opportunity that presented itself to him from the time he was old enough to enlist in a local ROTC program and ultimately serve his nation in Vietnam. His time and experiences, combined with the lessons learned while building a multi-million dollar business he later sold, have shaped his outlook in all situations he finds himself in today.
Do not expect a preachy narrative of "do what I say, not what I do." Offering practical guidance rather than theoretical concepts, the advice Marc gives his readers is based on his own experiences and proven practices. His goal is to help leaders develop their people and create successful organizations. Lead on!!!
