As a leader, your ability to recruit the right people and develop them is critical to the success of your organisation. Key considerations are recruitment, remuneration, performance appraisals, training, team-building, conflict resolution, and succession planning. Let’s explore how leaders ensure the sustainable growth of their business through their people.

1. Recruit the best people.
Find the right people based on the core values and purpose of your business and the skill sets required for the specific jobs. New employees must be able to fit into the culture of the organisation which is based on the core values demonstrated by existing staff. Realise that recruiting the right people is important and so too is finding the right place for them in the company so they can thrive and add the most value.

2. Remunerate competitively.
The best people want to be paid well and rewarded for good work. Potential remuneration strategies include: basic salary, sweat equity, commission structures, profit-sharing and bonuses. Create fair and motivating reward structures so that your team will consistently deliver quality results.

3. Use effective performance appraisal processes.
Realise that people need to be held accountable. An effective performance appraisal process ensures that the individual and the team are measured based on their targets. If they are meeting or exceeding their targets they may be rewarded.

They are appraised on deliverables and also on whether they are upholding the organisation’s values. If the individual is under-performing then they receive performance coaching. If they are consistently under-performing then they can be removed from the organisation in line with labour law legislation.

4. Train your people through effective coaching and feedback.
Effective training includes both technical skills and soft skills, such as interpersonal skills, communication, stress management and time management. Ensure that every employee is clear on what is expected of them and knows how to do their job effectively.

Also ensure that all employees have a personal development plan for sustainable growth and know how to adapt and connect to the different personalities and cultures in their team to bring out the best in them.

5. Develop values-driven quality management systems with your employees.
These systems are clear and easy to understand, ensuring that employees can do their job effectively while maintaining the values of the organisation.

6. Build your team.
Understand that the more cohesive your unit is the greater your chances of success will be. Achieve this through team-building workshops, conferences and special events.

7. Deal with conflict head on.
Realise that conflict can cause all kinds of problems, including decreased morale and motivation. Create forums that allow all people involved to share their perspectives and then find a third position on which both parties can agree.

8. Have a clear succession planning process in place.
Employees come and go and it is critical to have a succession plan in place to maintain operational effectiveness. Identify the potential of employees early, train them up and give them the opportunity to develop their skills.

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