The secret to success is to catch people in, not out

The foundation of a successful business is a team who share a common vision of success and work together in an open culture to deliver excellence.  This is best achieved within a culture built on shared goals, individual accountability and mutual trust. Innovation is volunteered as the team develop and deliver a world-class experience for each other, for partners and for clients.

Commit, connect, create

To achieve brilliance in business, you have to catch people in rather than catch them out. The principles of this approach are as follows:

• Commit to a clear vision of success
• Connect everyone in the team to the plan to deliver the vision
• Create a culture of agility, innovation and trust

Mutual trust is the key to agility and innovation. It can only be established when each team member knows that by genuinely giving their best and driving positive change they will be respected and fully supported. Each team member is encouraged to push boundaries, advance ideas and deliver the performance needed to invest in improving the customer experience.

Leaders can inspire others by cultivating a mindset shift away from evading mistakes and towards actively seeking improvements. This means that if an innovation or new idea goes badly, we quietly review what happened and learn from it together.  When a new idea goes well, we celebrate the progress and make sure everyone knows who was responsible for the progress.

Commit to a clear vision of success

Every business must have a clear and compelling ‘vision of success’ describing what the business will be like and feel like when it is successful. This vision guides the organisation with  direction and purpose. However, a vision is only as powerful as the commitment behind it. When we focus on catching people in, we emphasise inclusivity and collective effort, sharing responsibility for delivering the vision.

Catching people in means recognising their potential and their contribution. Colleagues who feel valued and included intensify their commitment. Fear is removed because everyone understands that they have the authority to drive change and that they will be supported in the event of any obstacle arising. This sense of collective ownership and clear accountability transforms a vision from being a mere statement into a force that propels the organisation forward.

Connect everyone in the team to the plan to deliver the vision

A vision without a plan is just a dream. It is crucial to connect every team member to the plan if the vision is to be delivered. This connection is about more than just communication; it’s about engagement and empowerment. People are motivated by knowing that they are important and that what they do makes a difference.

When we catch people in, we actively involve them in the planning process. We seek their insights, listen to their ideas and incorporate their feedback. This not only enhances the plan but also builds ownership and a feeling of accountability and responsibility for success.

In an aligned team, each team member understands their role and how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. This clarity enhances coordination, reduces wasted effort and increases efficiency resulting in the organisation moving forward with greater speed and precision.

Create a culture of agility, innovation and trust

In today’s economic landscape, agility, innovation and trust are indispensable. A culture that embodies these qualities is resilient and capable of thriving in the face of challenge.

Agility requires a workforce that is adaptable and open to change. When we catch people in, we encourage a mindset of continuous improvement and learning. Employees feel safe to experiment, take risks and innovate because they know they are supported. This psychological safety is a cornerstone of trust, which is essential for collaboration and cohesion.

Innovation flourishes in an environment where ideas are welcomed and valued, where people are not afraid to fail, knowing that any disappointments are opportunities for growth rather than grounds for concern. Strong leaders create a culture that celebrates curiosity, supports creative problem-solving and values the learning that comes from taking risks. By catching people in, we create a space where diverse perspectives can be shared and explored. This diversity of thought leads to creative solutions and breakthroughs that drive the business forward.

A powerful approach

Catching people in, not out, is a powerful approach that aligns with open and honest leadership. By committing to a clear vision of success, connecting everyone to the plan and creating a culture of agility, innovation and trust, we achieve progress. This approach not only drives performance and results but also fosters a positive, inclusive and dynamic workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Embracing this philosophy is not just a strategy for success; it’s a commitment to the long-term wellbeing and growth of both the organisation and its people.

I have shared this approach with global brands, SMEs and startups. The response is always positive and the progress often astonishing. When inspired by inclusivity, ordinary people really will deliver extraordinary results.