Building on Small Wins – How I Rebuilt a Failing Team by Challenging Tradition

Sometimes the toughest lessons come from the moments when nothing seems to work. When I took on the role at Adwave, I inherited a team steeped in tradition—but that tradition was holding us back. In this post, I share how I made the difficult decision to cut down a team that wasn’t delivering and refocused our efforts on inspiring others with a bold, data-driven vision.

The Problem with Tradition

When I first became President of Adwave, the team relied heavily on established ways of doing things. While tradition isn’t inherently a problem, it becomes a barrier when it supersedes the drive for the best work output.

• Stagnation Over Innovation:

  Our team was caught in old habits. We clung to the same ideas and methods simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.”

• Missed Opportunities:

  Because we were following tradition, we weren’t open to experimentation or creative risk-taking—key ingredients for a breakthrough campaign.

The Decision to Change

I realized that if we were going to succeed in a highly competitive environment, I had to take a bold step—even if it meant making unpopular decisions.

• Cutting Down the Team:

  I fearlessly made the decision to trim the team. This wasn’t about personal conflict—it was about creating space for fresh ideas and energy.

• Refocusing on Vision:

  With a leaner team in place, I shifted our focus entirely to a clear, inspirational vision. I started by asking a few simple, yet profound questions:

  
  

  1. Where are we now?

  2. Where do we want to be?

  3. How do we get there?

  
  

  These questions weren’t just a process—they became the catalyst for a complete cultural reset.

Key Lessons Learned

Embracing Change Over Tradition

• Challenge the Status Quo:

  Tradition can provide stability, but it must never become an excuse for mediocrity. I learned that real progress often requires breaking away from long-held habits, even if it’s uncomfortable.

• Inspire Through Clarity:

  When I cut down the team and focused on a clear vision, I noticed that the remaining members became more engaged. They were no longer bogged down by “the way things were done” but were energized by a new, forward-looking goal.

The Power of a Lean Team

• Agility Over Numbers:

  A smaller, more agile team can pivot quickly and adapt to change. By reducing the team size, I ensured that every member was fully aligned with the new vision.

• Ownership and Accountability:

  With fewer people, each individual’s contribution became more visible, fostering a culture of personal responsibility and innovation.

Data-Driven Feedback

• Constructive Critique:

  I implemented a framework for honest, actionable feedback. Rather than providing generic praise, every idea was evaluated with clear metrics.

• Continuous Improvement:

  This approach allowed us to iterate quickly, ensuring that every strategy was refined until it delivered tangible results.

Conclusion & Call to Action

This journey taught me that leadership isn’t merely about preserving tradition at all costs; rather, it involves a nuanced understanding of when to take calculated risks and have faith in your own vision for the future. Throughout my experience, I have come to realize that effective leadership requires a willingness to adapt and evolve, especially in the face of challenges that demand innovative solutions. One of the most difficult yet transformative decisions I faced was cutting down a team that was not delivering the expected results. This choice was fraught with emotional weight and uncertainty, as it involved not only the professional lives of my team members but also the overall morale of the organization. However, this difficult decision ultimately paved the way for genuine progress and allowed us to realign our goals with a more capable and motivated group, fostering an environment where creativity and productivity could flourish. What traditions have you challenged in your work, and how did that change your results? I invite you to share your stories or reach out if you’d like to discuss how challenging the status quo can lead to breakthrough success.