By Craig Lourens, Business Coach
Over the past five articles, we’ve walked through the first five keys to building a winning team:
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- Strong Leadership – where every great team begins.
- Common Goal – giving everyone a clear finish line to chase.
- Rules of the Game – setting the standards and expectations.
- Action Plan – putting structure behind ambition.
- Support Risk Taking – encouraging growth through boldness.
Now we’re at the sixth—and final—key: 100% Inclusion and Involvement. This is the glue that binds it all together.
When every team member feels they have a real stake in the outcome, magic happens. People show up differently when they know they’re not just a number—they’re critical to the mission. Inclusion isn’t just about inviting everyone to the table; it’s about making sure their voice matters, their work matters, and their contribution moves the whole team forward.
In plumbing businesses, this principle can make or break your growth. It’s easy to think only the senior plumbers or managers need to be ‘in the loop’. Wrong! From your apprentice to your admin assistant, 100% inclusion means every player understands the bigger picture, believes in it, and feels responsible for achieving it.
Here’s the catch: 99% inclusion is not enough. If even one team member is left out, you create cracks in the foundation. Resentment, disengagement, and misalignment creep in—and suddenly, that dream team you’re building isn’t so dreamy anymore.
So how do you create 100% inclusion?
- Communicate like crazy – Share the wins, the challenges, the vision—often and openly.
- Celebrate contributions – Recognize everyone’s part in the team’s success.
- Ask for input – Even the quietest voice might have the breakthrough idea.
- Connect the dots – Help each person see how their daily work impacts the team’s mission.
When your entire team feels valued and connected, you create an unstoppable force.
Final Thoughts Building a great team isn’t a once-off project—it’s a living, breathing process of continuous improvement. Go back often: Revisit your leadership. Reset your common goal. Reinforce the rules. Refine your action plans. Encourage fresh risks. And double down on inclusion.
Greatness isn’t a destination—it’s a commitment. Keep working the 6 Keys, and you’ll not only build a winning team—you’ll build a winning business.
Want to contact coach Craig click here: https://forms.office.com/r/pUFRecWpdg
