What if the secret to sustainable business success isn’t just in your strategy, but in how you lead your people?
Today, I am diving into the power of an effective people strategy with Lindsay White and how to navigate the complexities of leadership as well as how to foster a thriving culture in your business.
The complexity of true leadership
What is fascinating about leadership is that it is one of those topics that no matter where you are in the corporate structure, no matter where you are as a small business owner, you are a leader.
And you never stop growing and you never stop learning about leadership.
It’s just an ever-evolving ladder of learning.
You can’t have a high performing team unless you’re ready to be a high performing leader.
So, as much as we want to elevate the people in our organizations, we want them to think about themselves as being a leader of their own work, we have to be ready to actually impact others as a leader in in order for it all to work together.
It doesn’t work if you think it’s just the team that has to do the heavy lifting.
So, is leadership natural or learned and honed for leaders that you work with?
Lindsay notes we all have leadership skills, and that looks different for different people.
Just to be clear, leadership is not one set group of skills, it’s not one way to learn, it’s not one way to operate.
So, Lindsay notes we all come with some of that skill.
And for me that means getting out of your comfort zone because let me tell you, if there’s one thing I have learned about leadership, it is getting out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there.
I think this really goes along with a people strategy, but you don’t become a leader to be well liked all the time.
And as a self-described recovering people pleaser, that was one of the biggest hurdles that I had to learn as a leader.
Fostering a feedback-friendly environment
When you have a feedback-friendly environment you need to go beyond an open-door policy.
An open-door policy is insufficient for cultivating a feedback-friendly environment.
Lindsay points out that leaders need to actively show they value feedback and can handle it constructively.
This involves listening to team members, acknowledging their input, and implementing changes based on their suggestions—all essential components of an effective people strategy.
Creating a culture of trust and psychological safety is paramount for open communication.
Trust is the bedrock of any thriving team environment and leaders must demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity, showing they are willing to learn and grow from their mistakes.
This, in turn, encourages team members to share their honest feedback without fear of retribution—an approach central to any successful people strategy.
Lindsay’s Feedback Framework
Lindsay shares her three-step feedback model for a successful people strategy
- Discussing Success – start by acknowledging what is going well because positive reinforcement sets a constructive tone and also recognizes team efforts
- Address challenges but avoid assigning blame because the goal is to understand the situation and find solutions.
- Plan ahead by outlining actionable steps to address the issues identified.
This strategy transforms feedback sessions into productive planning meetings therefor making them a key element of an effective people strategy.
Managing Emotions in leadership with a people strategy
Both myself and Lindsay acknowledge the difficulty of managing emotions in leadership, particularly for women who may feel societal pressure to conform to certain emotional stereotypes.
Self-regulation is crucial for effective leadership and leaders need to balance empathy with objectivity to make sound decisions.
I did lose my cool in a meeting and I chose to apologize for my delivery, recognizing the impact my actions had on my team.
This decision, despite advice to the contrary, aligned with my belief in authentic leadership.
Lindsay asserts that apologies in leadership are not signs of weakness but rather acts of vulnerability that build trust.
This approach should also be integral to your people strategy.
The importance of a people strategy
Lindsay emphasizes the significance of having a strategic plan for managing talent, particularly in small businesses.
A well-thought-out people strategy enables businesses to be proactive rather than reactive, anticipating hiring needs and aligning them with long-term business goals and culture.
For entrepreneurs transitioning from solo efforts to hiring, Lindsay shares this effective people strategy:
- Vision and Skills Assessment
Envision the future of the business and identify the skills and resources needed to achieve that vision.
- Defining Roles and Attributes
Clearly define the attributes and working styles of potential hires, ensuring they align with the company’s values and culture.
- Strategic Recruitment
Develop a recruitment strategy that considers where to find candidates who fit well with the company culture and can meet the job requirements.
- Comprehensive Onboarding
Offer detailed training, shadowing opportunities, and resources such as Loom videos to help new hires understand their roles and the broader impact of their work.
Addressing reactive business decisions
The Pitfalls of Last-Minute Hiring Without a People Strategy
Reactive business decisions, particularly in hiring, can lead to suboptimal outcomes.
Businesses often focus on marketing and capital strategies but overlook the workforce needed to execute these plans.
Lindsay argues that proactive planning and strategic thinking can mitigate risks and create a less stressful work environment—key benefits of an effective people strategy.
Lindsay highlights the importance of quick, effective processes in small businesses, especially those with fewer employees.
She advises against over-systematizing at the outset, suggesting instead that business processes should evolve with the company’s growth.
This iterative approach allows for adaptability and continuous improvement, which should be core principles of your people strategy.
Becoming an effective leader with a people strategy
Lindsay underscores the importance of business owners recognizing and embracing their leadership roles.
Understanding that leadership is an “inside job” requiring personal growth and experiential learning helps business owners develop into effective leaders.
A robust people strategy is integral to this journey, serving as the foundation for effective employees and organizational success.
An effective people strategy is more than just a business tool—it’s a transformative approach that empowers leaders and teams to thrive.
As Lindsay highlights, leadership is an ever-evolving journey that demands self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to fostering trust and feedback within your organization.
By proactively envisioning your business’s growth, defining clear roles, and cultivating a feedback-friendly culture, you lay the groundwork for sustainable success.
Whether you’re hiring your first employee or refining your leadership style, the principles discussed here are designed to help you align your team with your vision and values.
Leadership is not about perfection but about authenticity, adaptability, and creating a culture where both you and your team can grow together.
Resources:
The People Strategy Playbook – https://highvoltageleadership.kit.com/97deda134f
The Rockstar Recruitment Workbook – https://highvoltageleadership.kit.com/c8794e8fb8
About Lindsay White
Lindsay is a sought-after executive coach, people operations expert, and podcast host who believes that every business, deserves three things – great leadership, an impactful people strategy, and a culture that inspires.
She is passionate about guiding business leaders at all levels in creating a leadership style that is authentic and grounded in their values and purpose. Her powerful coaching style leverages her extensive background coaching senior leaders, executives and entrepreneurs as they develop and embrace their personal leadership practice.
Lindsay also utilizes her 15 years in strategic talent management to guide these incredible leaders in creating inclusive cultures and people strategies that are missing from their business plans. Knowing when amazing teams are connected by purpose, programs and processes that inspire, they create amazing results. Her focus on people strategy, team engagement and leadership development help her clients drive their business goals while creating work environments where everyone feels like they belong.
Connect with Lindsay:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/highvoltleadership/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/highvoltageleadership
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-white-high-voltage/
Website – www.highvoltageleadership.ca
