As a business owner/leader, do you have your own business SWAT team? You aren’t going to storm any buildings for criminals, but you do need that small group of people you can count on to rally around you as you tackle those “game-changing” decisions. So, who do you have on your SWAT team, and what do they bring to the table?
Who is on the business SWAT Team
Every leader also needs a team that you call together when you need to make the tough decisions, or dream up something big, make change happen, or re-invent your organization. Your SWAT team should be those direct reports and/or team members that you can count on to be your unbiased counselors and your “change agents.”
Role of your business SWAT Team
What you really want to ask them to bring to the table and what you should encourage and welcome is:
- Challenging any assumptions (your assumptions or any other assumptions)
- Honest feedback – make it safe for them to give it to you straight and LISTEN
- Uncovering hidden upsides or downsides (unseen traps) that lie ahead
- Unfiltered assessment of resources (people, priorities, funds, etc.) that might impact the decision
- Identifying potential outcomes you might or might not expect
Benefit of a business SWAT Team
The last thing you want to do is make those huge decisions along and in a vacuum. Getting the input of the people you must count on to execute on tough decisions is essential. This will greatly increase the speed and effectiveness of any execution, even if they don’t always agree with the decision. You have heard them, considered all voices, and as a team you are leading the organization forward.
