Building a Thriving Team: Key Insights from Our Leadership Discussion

Spinks recently had the privilege of hosting an engaging roundtable discussion alongside Anthony Ryland, founder and CEO at Tap'd Solutions Limited.

We were joined by leaders from a range of different backgrounds to discuss the challenges they face in growing and leading teams. By sharing unique experiences and ideas, we discovered common themes that resonate with many modern leaders. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from our discussion:

Balancing Speed vs. Perfection

One of the central themes from the evening was focused around the tension between moving fast and building a product that lasts.

In the early stages of a business, as a scaleup, it’s crucial to prioritise mechanics over engineers. This means hiring technologists who can act quickly, innovate on the fly, and bring a product to life without being bogged down by long-term concerns. This is where some businesses fail – focusing too much on the ‘perfect product’.

Longer term, however, as the business matures and proves product-market fit and scalability, the focus must shift. That’s when you need engineers who can create sustainable, robust solutions.

The challenge here lies in finding people who understand both these mindsets and can adapt to the stage your business is in. These versatile individuals are rare but vital to your journey.

Rethinking Attrition

Attrition is often seen as a negative, but our discussion highlighted a very different perspective:

• The cost of a wrong hire: Bringing the wrong person onboard can be expensive. However, keeping someone who doesn’t align with the company’s goals and values can be even more detrimental.
• Seeing attrition as an opportunity: Sometimes, people leaving creates space for fresh perspectives and ideas. It can also open growth opportunities for team members who are deeply committed to the mission.

Instead of fearing attrition, businesses should view it as part of the natural evolution of their team. You aren’t going to get it right every time – so don’t be afraid to pivot and change if necessary.

Understanding Motivations

In any growing business, having a team that’s truly invested in your mission is vital. Achieving this, however, requires a deep understanding of what really motivates people.

• Intrinsic motivators: What inspires them? What gives them joy and purpose at work?
• Extrinsic motivators: Practical needs like salary, flexibility, and work-life balance.

When leaders align roles and responsibilities with intrinsic motivators, while also addressing extrinsic needs, they can unlock discretionary effort. This is the energy, creativity, and passion employees bring when they are genuinely excited about their work and your company’s mission.

By taking the time to understand and support your team’s unique motivations, you can build a culture where people go above and beyond to help your business succeed.

How to Interview for Future Leaders

Hiring the right leaders is crucial for scaling your business – and interviewing correctly is vital. Our discussion broke this process into three key elements:

1. Situation questions: Ask about hypothetical scenarios to gauge problem-solving approaches.
2. Past experience: Explore the candidate’s track record to identify relevant skills and patterns.
3. Follow-up questions: By digging deeper into their answers, you can assess their learning, depth of understanding, and ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings.

Effective interviews require more than just surface-level conversations—they should be structured to uncover the qualities that make a great leader.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

1. The Modern Leader as a Performance Coach
   Leadership today is about coaching your team to achieve their best. It’s not just about managing tasks—it’s about enabling growth, fostering accountability, and inspiring high performance.
2. The Power of Storytelling
   A compelling mission, communicated effectively and consistently, is a powerful motivator. Leaders should use storytelling to reinforce the company’s vision and values.
3. “Nudge Theory” in Action
   Small, consistent reminders about the mission and goals—nudges—can help keep the team aligned and focused.
   
   

By embracing these principles, leaders can build resilient, motivated teams that drive long-term success. Whether it’s balancing speed with quality, navigating attrition, or inspiring your team through clarity and purpose, the insights shared during our discussion offer a blueprint for growth.

Interested in our future roundtable discussions? Email us at info@wearespinks.com to register your interest.