A Business Is Only as Strong as Its Team
You can have the sharpest strategy on the planet… but if your team isn’t on the same page, you’ll feel like you’re pushing a boulder uphill.
Instead of moving forward, you stall. Projects drag out, growth feels expensive, and the whole thing gets frustrating.
Here’s the truth: successful businesses don’t just hire smart people. They make sure every single person knows their role, takes ownership of results, and is tied into the bigger vision. When that happens, performance lifts, waste drops, and profits speed up.
The Cost of a Team That Isn’t Aligned
When people pull in different directions, profit takes the hit.
Take Carillion as an example. This UK construction giant went under in 2018. One of the biggest reasons? Teams working in silos and leaders losing visibility. Bills weren’t paid, budgets got messy, accountability disappeared.
Now compare that to a brand like Innocent Drinks. From the start, their team knew the mission inside out. Everyone, from marketing to production was accountable. That focus meant smoother operations, loyal customers, and eventually, a £300m deal with Coca-Cola.
So, how do you build that kind of clarity in your own business?
Let’s look at 5 core principles to get you and your team aligned, focused and ready for unparalleled growth.
Key Principle #1: Set Clear Goals and Roles
If your team doesn’t know the target, how can they hit it?
Start with your big business objectives. Then make sure everyone knows not just what they’re doing, but why it matters. That sense of purpose boosts motivation and connects their daily work to the bigger picture.
Key Principle #1 Case Study: Monzo
When Monzo scaled fast, every department had crystal-clear KPIs linked to revenue and customer satisfaction. Whether it was an engineer or a customer service rep, each person could see how their role tied back to business growth. That focus helped them reach 7m users and secure huge investment rounds.
Key Principle #2: Use Scorecards & Measurable KPIs
Telling people what’s expected is one thing. Tracking it is another.
With scorecards and measurable KPIs, your team sees exactly how their actions add up. It’s not about micromanaging — it’s about giving people a scoreboard so they know if they’re winning.
Key Principle #2 Case Study: Deliveroo
When rider efficiency and customer happiness were slipping, Deliveroo introduced real-time performance tracking. That meant smarter schedules, faster deliveries, and happier customers. Retention and profitability both went up.
Quick question: Are you measuring results consistently, or running the business on gut feel?
Key Principle #3: Build a Culture of Ownership
Micromanagement is the fastest way to kill initiative. The best companies empower their people to take ownership.
The best teams work because people feel trusted to lead in their own roles. That doesn’t mean removing all structure, it means creating space for people to lead.
Key Principle #3 Case Study: Timpson
James Timpson flipped management on its head. He gave frontline staff power over pricing and customer service decisions. That “upside-down management” created loyal customers, stronger profits, and over 2,000 thriving stores.
When people feel ownership, they solve problems faster and care more about results.
Key Principle # 4: Link Pay to Performance
If pay isn’t tied to results, why would anyone go the extra mile?
By linking bonuses, commission, or incentives to performance, you shift behaviour from “just doing the job” to owning the outcome.
Key Principle #4 Case Study: Purplebricks
Instead of flat salaries, Purplebricks agents earned commission. That model motivated people to sell more homes, faster. It disrupted the estate agency world and pushed their valuation past £1bn at peak.
Is your team financially invested in your success?
Key Principle #5: Keep Momentum With Weekly Accountability Meetings
Even the best plan falls apart without consistent follow-through.
High-performing businesses run on rhythm. Weekly check-ins keep everyone accountable, surface roadblocks, and make sure goals stay alive.
Key Principle #5 Case Study: Huel
Huel grew into an international brand by running weekly alignment meetings. Each team saw how their work impacted revenue and knew exactly what to adjust. That structure helped them expand into 80+ countries and bring in £100m+ annually.
Quick Recap: 5 Steps to Align Your Team
- Set clear objectives and roles
- Track progress with scorecards and KPIs
- Encourage ownership and trust
- Link pay to performance
- Run weekly accountability meetings
Turn Your Team Into a Profit Machine
Take Action
When teams “just do the job,” scaling feels impossible. But when people are aligned, empowered, and accountable, everything changes:
- Decisions speed up
- Revenue grows
- Problems get solved at the root
If you’re tired of firefighting and leaving money on the table, let’s talk.
Book a free Business Discovery Call — together, we’ll map out how to align your team and drive serious profit.
Let’s make your business work for you, not the other way around.
Step Into the Room
Want to see it live? Join one of our monthly events. From fast-paced half-day Growth MasterCLASSes to our deep-dive 90-Day Planning Workshops, every session is packed with proven ActionCOACH strategies and practical tools you can use straight away.
Book your place at the next event and see what happens when your team finally rows in the same direction.
Want to experience it for yourself? Join an Event!
