When I think back to my early leadership journey, I remember how often I felt like I was juggling too many moving parts. I had the basics covered—knowing my team’s job roles, project deadlines, and the progress we needed to make—but the deeper, more personal details often fell through the cracks.

One moment in particular transformed how I approached leadership. We were working on a major initiative—a complete overhaul of our department’s onboarding process. It was a high-stakes project with tight deadlines, requiring collaboration across multiple teams and a clear vision to improve new hires’ experiences. A member of my team, let’s call her  Lisa, had taken ownership of redesigning the training modules. She handled everything with precision, often staying late to perfect her work.

During a one-on-one check-in, Lisa shared something that took me by surprise. She revealed how much this project meant to her—an assignment and an opportunity to prove she was ready for more management responsibilities and supporting new staff. It aligned with her long-term goal of becoming a leader in the institution and driving strategic change.

Her words hit me. I hadn’t realized how deeply Lisa’s work connected to her aspirations. I thought I knew my team well, but at that moment, I realized I’d missed an opportunity to connect her daily work to her broader vision. How many others on my team had similar goals I wasn’t aware of?

That moment was a wake-up call. Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks; it’s about knowing your team on a deeper level. But I also realized I didn’t have a system to track these critical details. Information about their goals, milestones, or personal details like birthdays and coffee orders was scattered or forgotten.

I wanted to show up for my team better, but the information I needed lived in too many scattered places: notes on my desk, digital files, and memories I couldn’t always rely on.

I needed a better way to stay organized and intentional. That’s why, when I created the She Leads & Succeeds™ Executive Planner, I ensured it included a section dedicated to building a high-performing team. From tracking individual goals and progress to capturing personal insights like anniversaries or favorite coffee orders, this planner was designed to help leaders like you—and like me—create a culture of connection and collaboration.

Here’s what I’ve learned about building high-performing teams as a woman executive.

Start with Individual Goals

Every team is a collection of individuals with their unique talents, motivations, and goals. The key to building a high-performing team is understanding what drives each person and aligning their goals with the department’s objectives.

In the She Leads & Succeeds™ planner, I included space to jot down each team member’s personal and professional aspirations. Knowing their individual goals allows you to:

• Assign tasks and projects that align with their career paths.
• Recognize opportunities for their growth and development.
• Tailor feedback and support to help them thrive.

When your team feels seen and supported, their engagement and performance soar. It’s not just about hitting departmental targets; it’s about helping your team grow while achieving them together.

Understand How Individual Goals Align with Departmental Goals

A high-performing team doesn’t just work hard; they work with purpose. As a leader, your role is to bridge the gap between individual goals and the broader mission of your department.

Use your planner to map out how your team members’ aspirations fit your team’s objectives. For example:

• Team Member Goal: Take on more leadership opportunities.
• Department Goal: Improve project efficiency.
• Action Plan: Assign them to lead a process improvement initiative, giving them leadership experience while advancing team objectives.

This alignment creates a shared sense of purpose and ensures everyone works toward something bigger than themselves.

Pay Attention to the Personal Details

Leadership isn’t just about metrics and milestones—it’s about relationships. Taking the time to note personal details about your team members, like their birthdays, favorite snacks, or even their children’s names, can have a profound impact.

Why does this matter? Because recognizing these small details shows your team that they’re valued as professionals and people. When you remember their anniversary or ask about their child’s soccer game, you build trust and rapport, strengthening your team culture.

The planner includes a section specifically for these details so you can easily keep track of what makes your team members feel seen and appreciated.

Regular Progress check-ins

High-performing teams thrive on communication. Regularly checking in—whether through one-on-one meetings or informal conversations—ensures that everyone stays aligned and supported.

In the planner, you can track individual progress on projects and goals, noting key achievements, areas for improvement, and feedback you want to share. This ongoing record helps you:

• Provide meaningful feedback that’s specific and actionable.
• Celebrate milestones and wins.
• Identify where additional support is needed before challenges arise.

By staying engaged with your team’s progress, you can address issues early and maintain momentum toward your collective goals.

Celebrate Wins and Milestones

Celebrating success is crucial to maintaining morale and motivation. Whether it’s a team member’s birthday, a personal accomplishment like completing a marathon or obtaining their MBA, or the successful completion of a significant project, acknowledging these moments reinforces a culture of appreciation.

The planner includes a section for tracking key dates and milestones so you never miss an opportunity to celebrate your team’s contributions. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a team lunch, or a simple acknowledgment in a meeting, these gestures make a lasting impact.

Lead with Empathy and Clarity

Finally, trust is the foundation of a high-performing team, and trust comes from empathy. As a leader, knowing your team on a deeper level allows you to tailor your leadership approach to meet their needs.

The She Leads & Succeeds™ Executive Planner was designed to help document these insights, giving you the clarity and confidence to lead with intention. You’ll foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and high performance by showing your team that you’re invested in their success—not just as professionals but as people.

Your Secret Weapon for Team Success

Leadership is a journey, and no one can do it alone. I created the She Leads & Succeeds™ Executive Planner—to give leaders like you the tools to stay organized, aligned, and intentional.This planner isn’t just about tracking tasks but transforming how you lead. From tracking team insights to aligning individual and departmental goals, it’s your companion for building a high-performing team that thrives.