This time of year can be brutal for landscaping companies. The combination of demand on the sales team, busy crew schedules, unpredictable weather, and client questions and needs can have teams running ragged. Just one rainy day can mess up your whole plan for the week - we know how it goes!

We're in the trenches right alongside you at Grunder Landscaping Co. Over the years, I've learned that my role as the owner and a leader within the company is really pretty easily defined during this time of the year: I need to be my team's biggest cheerleader. Here's how I do it:

I Recognize the Great Work I See

I like to catch people doing the right thing, and then I'll call out team members for their great work in front of their managers or even the whole team. By calling attention to great behavior and good performance, we're setting the standard for our whole team. I've found this to be a much more effective way to get team members all working well together and doing the right things than trying to catch people doing something they shouldn't. 

That's not to say that doesn't happen, too. When I see something I don't like, we address it privately. I may let their manager know what I saw and let them handle it, or I may just go say something right when I see it, especially if it's a safety issue. 

I Jump in Where I Can

My role at Grunder Landscaping Co. today is to be a business developer. I network and look for leads, and then I introduce our salespeople to handle the accounts. It's really clear today where I can best add value, and I'm able to stay focused on those tasks because I have a great team focused on the tasks that fit their own strengths. 

Because I know where I add the most value, I can also volunteer for tasks and help solve problems where it fits my strengths. Here's what I mean by that:

I DON'T help Gaston (one of our Group Leaders) to redo the schedule if the weather messes up our plan for the week because he's better at doing it than I am.

I DO help when Gaston sends out an email saying, "Installation Crew 6 has an open afternoon next week, does anyone know of a job we can move up in the schedule?" I often know of a client who may want a little extra done or can help a salesperson close something quickly to fill the schedule. 

I Support Other Leaders

I used to just solve problems, thinking I was doing my team a favor if they didn't have to deal with the problem. What I found instead was that I was doing them a disservice: by solving problems for them, I was undermining their credibility with clients or teammates, and I was also not giving leaders on my team the chance to learn. 

So instead, when someone brings a problem to me, I either:

1. Mind my business and forward the issue on to the person most able to help solve it, or

2. Coach the team member through solving the problem.

Questions like "How do you think we should solve this?" are a great starting point, and the classic "Don't Take the Monkey" talk from ACE Peer Group Facilitators Megan Parker and Tracy Wallingford offers great tools for leaders. 

There's a lot that goes into being a great leader during the busy season, and I certainly am always learning and trying to get better myself, too. A big part of constantly improving is getting around other leaders and learning from the way they operate. Sometimes we learn something tactical that can reduce the day-to-day stress on our teams; other times, we learn new soft skills that help us coach teams more effectively. I think if you join us at one of our Grunder Landscaping Co. Field Trips, you'll walk away with more knowledge on both fronts. I'd love to see you there!

Marty Grunder
Founder & CEO
The Grow Group & Grunder Landscaping Co.