In my last newsletter, we covered how to retain talent and why it’s crucial for your business’s success. Equally crucial, however, is equipping your team with the skills they need from the get-go.

Here’s how to create a culture of continuous improvement in your business:

1. Be an Example of Emotional Maturity

Start by setting a high standard for behavior. When things go wrong, choose to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Imagine a crew member spills paint on a client's hardwood floor. A crew lead faced with this situation has two choices. The first is to blow up and yell at the team in front of the customer. The second is to simply handle the cleanup calmly and efficiently and coach the team on how to improve. You’re much better off minimizing the unnecessary chaos.

2. Open Yourself to Feedback

Regularly seek feedback from your team about what you do well and where you can improve. Show that you value their input by actively working on the feedback you receive. This openness not only improves your performance but also encourages a feedback culture within your team, making it easier for them to receive constructive criticism as well.

3. Set the Bar for a Strong Work Ethic

Your work ethic sets the tone. Show the level of dedication and focus you expect from your team. It's not about working long hours, but about being fully present and committed when you're on the job. Set and raise the standard of what it means to show up and work hard.

4. Set Clear Goals

Define what success looks like for each role in your team. Ensure that your crew understands how their performance will be measured and what skills are important to develop. Use job performance data like pace and quality consistency to identify areas for improvement. This clarifies when they’re doing well, when they’re dropping the ball, and what, specifically, needs improvement.

5. Provide Learning Opportunities

Support your team’s development with training opportunities. Whether it’s attending seminars, pairing junior team members with more experienced members, or enrolling in online programs, these experiences not only improve their skills but are also useful sources of drive and inspiration.

Arguably most importantly, however, use mistakes as learning opportunities. Mistakes happen. Give your team room to make them and learn from them. They’ll be more empowered to do great work for you over the long haul.

By adopting these practices, you create an environment where improvement is not just encouraged but becomes a natural part of how your team operates.

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Are you trying any of these lessons from this newsletter? I’d love to hear about how they’re impacting your business. Also, would love to hear what you want to hear more about. Reach out to me on Instagram. - John