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While we live in a very automated, mass production kind of society, what people really crave are things tailored to and for them as individuals. Personalization matters. One-on-one, face-to-face, and in-person time and attention matter. As digital as we have become, there is still that need for tailored focus and attention.

The word “tailor” comes from roots that mean “to cut.” And that is, indeed, what a good tailor does. They cut out the things that don’t fit in order to customize what does. And the result is a style that is comfortable, fashionable, individualized, and enduring.

As leaders, tailoring is important for your own self-development and also for team development.

A TAILORED Approach

Here’s where taking a tailored approach to self-development and team development can make a real difference in your life and business.

Target the Foundation

No good tailor cuts into an expensive fabric before exploring its intended purpose.

And no good leader should bring on a team without first defining the intended purpose. Otherwise, there is a great deal of wasted time and money. There could also be a loss of reputation, as neither team members nor clients and customers are clear on expectations.

• What are the overall values, vision, and mission of your organization?
• What are your personal values, vision, and mission?

Assess Your Resources

The next step is to determine what is needed to support those values, create the vision, and fulfill the mission.

This is all about defining roles and resources.

These represent the base pattern for your life and business, creating an outline for your success. This first cut should be big enough to allow room for individualization and not so small that it will limit future growth.

Individualize the Roles

Once the roles are defined, this is where you begin the process of allowing team members to try on those roles for best fit. If you complete a strengths assessment for each team member, you will know that their respective roles are generally a good fit.

And over time, you and they can tailor the work so that it allows them to serve at their highest levels. An expansion here, and a tuck there will help them hone in to their strengths and excel.

Let Them Serve

If you have invested well in your team, you will have developed solid leaders. Your goal is then to let them serve as the leaders for your organization. Yes, have accountability and defined parameters of authority. But, just as importantly, give them space to lead.

Organize and Maintain

You can have the finest tailored clothing, but if you don’t attend to regular organization and maintenance, it will degrade quickly. You will end up with a pile of wrinkled and torn material that takes up space and serves no defined value and purpose.

In an organization, this is even more important. You must have a system for organization and maintenance that supports you, your team, and your resources. Otherwise, you could end up with a bloated pile of resources that no longer have value or serve a purpose.

Review and Adjust

Just like a closet needs a review each season, so does an organization. Are the roles and resources still a good fit? Are there changes or adjustments that need to be made to stay on track?

Regular review of your personal and professional mission, vision, and values is essential. Are they still aligned? Do any adjustments need to be made? Is everything still a good fit?

Role and Results

Remember, the role of a tailor is to cut out the things that don’t fit to customize what does. And the result is a style that is comfortable, fashionable, individualized, and enduring.

Your role as a leader is to cut out the things that don’t fit in order to customize what does.

And the results will be a team that is comfortable and productive in their respective roles and an organization that is enduring.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!