Let me guess.

Your team is failing and your work life is in complete chaos. They’re not doing what you ask, the quality of their work is sub-par, no one’s “getting it”, you’re constantly finding yourself having to intervene, and you are tired of reprimanding your team only to see zero improvements. You’re beyond frustrated and may even be at the point where you’re considering cleaning house and starting over with a new team.

I’m here to tell you that you’re looking in the wrong direction.

The problem isn’t your team. The problem is you.

Get Organized

Chances are you’ve been knee-deep in the weeds for a very long time. You’re reacting to issues that come up and you don’t trust your team to get the job done. Rather than focusing on the details, take 10 steps back and look at the big picture. Put a high-level priority list together and get organized. Communicate clear direction to your team based on priorities and be consistent with your delivery.

Related: When To Intervene As A Leader

Create Clear Direction

Empower your team to introduce efficiencies by giving them time to create processes. These processes should be created by your team (not you) and they should be agreed upon and documented. When either yourself or a member of the team isn’t sure what to do, point them to this information. It’ll help with buy-in and in keeping everyone on the same page.

Evaluate The Way You Recruit

Hiring is often done in a haphazard way. It’s done quickly, new hires are provided with a job description, and if they accept a job offer, they’re thrown to the fire on day one. An unorganized and rapid recruitment process means that you haven’t taken the time to verify that the new hire 1. has the skills to do the job or 2. is a good fit. Slow down a bit, get to know potential hires, provide them with concise evaluations to test their skills if appropriate, and create a job description that is true to the job at hand.

Training, Tools, and Support

In many cases, business owners or managers are intervening in daily tasks because their team doesn’t have the appropriate training, tools, or support from you to do their job. Rather than place the blame elsewhere, look to yourself to encourage change and growth. Invest in your team by implementing a leadership training program. Stop focusing on small issues and invest in making your better.

Have you been in a position where your team is failing and you’ve been blaming others when you should have been looking at yourself? Tell us all about it in the comments below.