Creating an Executive Leadership Team That Levels-Up Your Business

As a business leader, growth should be a top priority. Because, while there are other concerns we tend to have (especially as Christians), it’s our business’s financial health that grants us the greater ability to serve.

However, achieving sustained growth isn’t just about increasing revenue. In fact, most of the work comes down to building a strong foundation that supports future success—and one of the most critical aspects of that is a strong executive leadership team.

That’s why today you’ll learn about creating that team—why it’s important, how to do it, and how to leverage your leadership’s strengths to move your company forward.

Problems Without A Strong Executive Team

Without an executive leadership team in place, businesses often face difficulties. These may range from decision bottlenecks, to burnout, lack of perspective, and even stunted growth.

For example, when every decision must be run through a single person, processes slow down and inhibit the ability of your company to respond to market changes and client needs.

Furthermore, being a single point of contact for the entire company makes it all too easy to burn out. And when that happens, everything (and everyone) suffers.

But luckily, there is another way.

The Value of A Healthy Leadership Team

With the right team in place, your company stands a much better chance of creating a generational impact.

An ideal team brings together a diverse group of leaders—each possessing unique skills and perspectives. Together, such a team will create innovative solutions and growth opportunities. And the science backs it up.

According to a survey by Growth Dynamics, businesses with fully developed leadership teams are 25% more likely to experience revenue growth than those without. And that’s just the start. Healthy leadership also improves company culture, leading to happier, more productive and creative employees.

So, let’s explore the ways you can develop such a team for your company.

Qualities of an Effective Executive Leadership Team

Executive leadership plays a vital role in business growth.

Effective leaders drive strategy, make high-level decisions, and align your organization’s culture. Built correctly, your team embodies the leadership qualities necessary to sustain long-term growth by solving problems quickly and efficiently.

The following are five behaviors of a healthy team. They have been slightly modified from Patrick Lencioni’s wonderful resource “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.” We at Integro believe in and highly recommend Lencioni’s model to our clients, as it offers a clear path to strengthening your leadership teams.

Trust: Without trust, executive team members are unwilling to be vulnerable. And when team members don’t feel safe “sticking their neck out,” those teams fail to collaborate. To develop trust, make transparency, open communication, and honesty the cornerstones of your business.
Healthy Conflict: When executive teams shy away from conflict, they create “artificial harmony.” However, when conflict is seen as a way of improving ideas—rather than as a personal attack—your leadership team becomes more effective and efficient over time.
Commitment: Teams lacking in commitment may nod in agreement, but internally resist the decisions that have been made. To strengthen commitment among your executive leadership, give each team member a voice in the decision-making process.
Accountability: Without clear roles and expectations, it’s easy for team members to shirk responsibility. Strong teams have a culture of accountability—where each leader feels responsible for both their individual role and the overall success of the team.
Attention to Results: Teams that focus on individual success over the collective goal are more likely to fail—and the strongest teams have members that are focused on company-wide results as well as those of their own department.

Building an Executive Leadership Team

Building a great team starts with hiring great people. That means individuals who possess integrity, clear thinking, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills.

You must also consider the dynamics within the team—how members interact and collaborate with one another—which can be a bit trickier to navigate.

So, to make strong choices for teammates, consider the following pointers. While they may not help you avoid a weak choice completely, they are strong guide posts for building a visionary, effective team in the workplace.

Diversity: More diverse teams have the advantage of bringing multiple perspectives to the table. This helps with problem-solving and innovation. Look for people with different areas of expertise, backgrounds, and viewpoints.
Core Values: Everyone on your executive team should align with the company’s core values. When you’re all aligned on the business’s mission and culture, decision making is smoother and work gets done more efficiently.
Clearly Defined Roles: To avoid confusion and inefficiency, every leader should clearly understand their role. This prevents overlaps in duties and ensures accountability for each executive´s performance.

Level-Up Your Business by Building a Strong Executive Leadership Team

Creating a strong executive leadership team takes time and effort. However, the rewards are immense: increased efficiency, higher employee engagement, and sustainable business growth.

Start by assessing your current team’s strengths and weaknesses. Look for opportunities to build trust, enhance communication, and encourage accountability. And while this guide can certainly help get you on your way, know that you don’t have to do it alone.

At Integro, we help Christian business leaders build companies that thrive. Our mission is to guide businesses in creating clarity, developing strategy, and overcoming challenges with proven Biblical principles.

We do this so you can experience the joy of building a business that creates generational impact and expands God’s Kingdom. So if you’re interested in furthering your business through Christian business coaching, executive coaching, or team coaching, reach out today.

Your call is absolutely free and only takes about 10-15 minutes. We’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up and how business has been going for you… with no strings attached. So don’t wait.

Call Us Today and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.