Does your team work to its highest potential? While it’s hard to always perform at 100 percent, as a leader there are things you can do to create a winning environment.

Yesterday, Promotional Consultant Today shared four habits to take your organization to the next level. Today, we’ll share three more.

Hidden Opportunities. Being proactive is one of the hidden opportunities that leaders often miss. Instead of waiting to see what the day holds and reacting to that email, phone call or situation, a more strategic approach is to determine responses before calamity strikes. Along with your yearly planning meetings to fine tune the company’s vision and goals, be strategic about anticipating potential problems. Have an “anticipation meeting” with the goal of creating contingency plans and ask each department to develop a “what if” list, along with solutions. This type of strategy allows you and your team to be more creative in your problem-solving abilities while in a calmer state than an emergency allows.

Talk It Out. Make it a habit to communicate openly with your team and allow them the opportunity to take part in the conversation. When communication is lost, your teamwork and productivity will suffer right along with your company’s goals. No one likes to be kept in the dark. Be clear in meetings about expectations, goals and their command structure. You can also set a time where everyone knows your door is open to talk for topics that need to be dealt with one-on-one.

Share the Load. Establish a habit of sharing the load. Delegating important tasks is another way you can honor and empower your team to take on new responsibilities that help to sharpen and show off their strengths. Encourage a company culture where employees at all levels have the chance to share their ideas, talk about what they do, and possibly mentor new up-and-comers in your organization. When leaders at all levels take ownership of the company’s vision and goals, there’s no limit to what you and your organization can do.

When you choose winning habits by believing in the potential of your team, looking for the best in others, extending kindness and creating space for them to give back, share ideas and lead, you provide the jet fuel to ignite their creativity as you empower them to discover new levels of success.

Source: Elizabeth McCormick is a keynote speaker specializing in leadership, sales and safety presentations. She was recently named to the list of Leadership Experts to Follow Online. A former U.S. Army Black Hawk Pilot and author of The P.I.L.O.T. Method; the 5 Elemental Truths to Leading Yourself in Life, McCormick teaches instantly applicable strategies to boost your employees’ confidence in their own leadership abilities.