Why People Are the Greatest Asset in Business: Lessons from Brad Sugars’ 5 Disciplines
How to unlock the power of successful teams through better people systems
The Power Behind the Success of Your Team
Have you ever wondered why some businesses just seem to have it all together when it comes to their people? Their teams are loyal, motivated, and high performing, without the drama. On a recent visit to Perth, Brad Sugars unpacked the five core disciplines that billion-dollar businesses master. One discipline stood out to me in particular, the one most often neglected in businesses: the people. Let’s take a closer look at how to build the people systems that unlock business potential.
Recruiting: Attract the Right People with the Right Energy
Great teams start with great recruitment. But hiring is not just about filling seats, it is about attracting the right people who match your culture and values.
Your company culture should do the talking for you. When people hear you are a great place to work, recruitment becomes attraction rather than promotion.
Recruitment should start before the job ad. What does your online presence, staff satisfaction, and reputation say about working with you?
If you are struggling to find good candidates, ask yourself: would you apply to your own business?
The power of successful teams starts with who you let in the door. Set the standard early.
Induction: Make New Team Members Feel They Belong
How you welcome people in says everything about how much you value them.
A strong induction is not just logistics. It is about helping people feel connected, confident, and ready to contribute.
Involve the whole team. Let new starters meet people, hear stories, understand the mission, and see how they fit in.
Do not treat induction as a one-off. Make it a living process that evolves as your business does.
A team that feels like they belong will stay longer, perform better, and contribute more.
Development: Invest in Growth & You Will Reap the Rewards
People need to see a future with you. If they cannot grow, they will go.
Build personal and professional development into every role.
Create clear paths for progress, whether it is upskilling, cross-training or leadership opportunities.
Encourage curiosity and ambition. Make it safe to ask questions, try new things and challenge the status quo.
When development is built into your culture, it is not just your people who grow, your business does too.
Management: Lead With Clarity, Consistency and Care
Management is not about control. It is about creating the environment where people can thrive.
Set clear expectations. People should always know what success looks like in their role.
Provide regular check-ins and feedback. Do not wait for problems, prevent them.
Be human. Support people through challenges, celebrate their wins, and help them get back on track when needed.
Clear management systems bring stability and structure. That is how you unlock the power of successful teams.
Leadership: Inspire People to Be Their Best
Strong leaders do not just delegate. They develop, motivate, and lead by example.
Your team is watching you. Show up the way you want them to show up.
Keep developing yourself as a leader. Read, learn, reflect, and grow. Your team will follow.
Build trust. Be transparent, approachable, and consistent in how you make decisions.
Leadership is the final piece in your people discipline. Without it, all the systems in the world will not matter.
If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership and build a more connected, capable team, this short video will give you a powerful nudge in the right direction. For more support, explore our Business Coaching for successful leadership.
How People Systems Fit into Strategic Business Planning
When you think about business planning, your people systems must be at the centre. Why? Because without a strong team, no plan will get executed well.
Bring People Into the Plan
Let’s build a business plan that’s practical, relevant, and made for your stage of business.
Align people to strategy: Define what team structure and capabilities you will need to deliver your goals.
Budget for development: Training, coaching and recruitment are not costs, they are investments.
Set people KPIs: Track retention, engagement, and development milestones alongside your financial metrics.
Review regularly: Are your people systems helping or hindering growth? Adjust as you scale.
By embedding your people discipline into your business planning, you are building a team that is aligned, capable and ready for growth.
If you are not actively building your people systems, you are leaving performance, loyalty, and innovation on the table. The power of successful teams lies in daily habits, clear systems and a genuine commitment to growth.
It is not rocket science, but it does take intention.
Are you ready to integrate powerful people systems into your business plan? Let’s book a time to map it out together.
FAQ About the Power of Successful Teams
1. Why focus so much on people in business planning?
Because no strategy works without the right team to execute it. People are the ones who drive performance, culture, and outcomes.
2. I have a small team. Do I really need all these systems?
Yes. Small teams need clarity and structure even more. These systems scale up, but they also protect you when resources are tight. Business Coaching can help with this.
3. How can your business planning service help with people systems?
We will build a tailored business plan that embeds your people strategy directly into goals, actions, and budgets. You will walk away with clarity, structure and focus. Explore business planning support here.