From the Top Down: Using Leadership to Build a Culture of Excellence in Landscaping

What kind of culture does your leadership create? For landscaping businesses, where multiple crews and job sites demand seamless coordination - strong leadership and transparent communication can make all the difference. 

At ACACIA, we’ve seen firsthand how clear leadership and communication can fuel business growth and create an environment where excellence is the core expectation across jobs. 

Besides, In 2025, it’s not enough to simply lead from the top. You need a leadership approach that flows through every layer of your operations. 

Let’s dive into the principles that will make accountability and communication your strongest assets.

Establishing a Leadership Foundation for Accountability

Accountability begins at the top. It’s not something you can just talk about. You must show it through your actions, decisions, and how you lead your teams. 

If the leadership doesn’t model accountability, the rest of the organization won’t follow suit. So, what are the top actions you can take to set that standard?

1. Standardizing Operational Best Practices 

At ACACIA, we ensure that our dispatch times, work methods, and company policies are consistent across all teams. Leaders need to be the first ones at the site, prepared to set the tone for the day. 

I show up an hour before dispatch to debrief crews and expect crew leaders to be there 15 minutes prior. This is about showing that preparation matters. By modeling preparedness, we avoid wasted payroll hours, potentially saving us hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

Also read: How To Cultivate Ownership In Landscaping Teams for 2025?

2. Training Through Hands-On Leadership

Spending time in the field is critical. You can’t just give instructions. You have to work alongside your crews. By demonstrating how to raise service quality or increase efficiency, I work on helping them see how minor improvements can benefit them directly. 

Whether it’s showing a technique that reduces physical strain or a method that cuts down on steps, you have to make it clear how their work can be easier and more productive. This hands-on approach builds trust and reinforces that I’m invested in their growth, not just the company’s bottom line.

Also read: Jacquie Talks Landscaping Sales & Workforce Diversity

3. Win with Consistency 

Accountability is about consistency. Leaders need to go the extra mile, but more importantly, we must follow up to ensure our teams meet the desired outcomes. 

Many companies falter here. The follow-up phase is often missed, but it’s essential for identifying what’s truly happening on the ground.

How To Communicate with Clarity and Purpose

Clear communication is the backbone of any successful operation. Setting expectations is not enough. You need to ensure your teams understand them and are aligned with the goals of both the company and the clients. 

At ACACIA, we’ve established communication rhythms that keep everyone accountable and focused.

1. Daily Check-Ins

Every day, I have brief phone calls with my leadership team. These 5-10 minute check-ins help keep priorities in order and issues moving forward. This small but effective touchpoint ensures that everyone is on the same page.

2. Weekly Leadership Meetings

Once a week, we have a structured video call to discuss key operational topics, such as budget vs. actual payroll, project updates, and critical deadlines. These meetings are kept brief but focused on maintaining team alignment.

Also read: Optimism, Growth mindset - Biggest Qualities to Succeed As a Green Industry Leader, says Michael Wood from U.S. Lawns

3. Quarterly Business Reviews

Our quarterly leadership meetings are where we get into the real heart of the business. We review our mission, values, and progress against the previous quarter’s goals. These reviews help reinforce the company’s vision and ensure everyone is committed to driving growth.

Fostering a Culture of Ownership

A strong company culture can’t be built overnight. Because it reflects everything from daily operations to leadership. 

At ACACIA, we set the standard of “First Class” service across everything we do. This isn’t lip service—our facilities, fleet, technology, and processes all align with this standard. 

The culture we foster means every team member understands that we don’t aim for cheaper or faster. We aim for better.

1. Setting Clear Expectations

We communicate consistently with our teams that "First Class" is the only standard. This clarity removes ambiguity, and our teams embrace it as part of what they do, not just an expectation imposed on them.

2. Holding Ourselves Accountable

Our teams know that we expect high performance across functions. Through regular check-ins, immediate feedback, and clear scopes of work, we hold ourselves and our subcontractors accountable to the highest standard.

Leveraging Technology for Communication and Accountability

As our company has grown, we’ve embraced technology to enhance communication and accountability. 

We recently introduced a financial dashboard that tracks critical metrics, allowing us to measure progress in real time and make data-driven decisions. This helps ensure that our teams are always aligned with business goals and that we can adjust our strategies based on performance data.

Also read: Lara Moon Talks Growth, Sales, and Tech in Landscaping Industry

Conclusion: Leadership is About Action, Not Words

At the end of the day, leadership has to be more than just setting expectations. For me, it's about living them. 

At ACACIA, I’ve made it a point to model accountability, foster a culture of ownership, and communicate with clarity to ensure our teams are always aligned and driving toward the same goals. By leveraging these leadership and communication levers, we’ve been able to create a business that doesn’t just survive but thrives. 

And as we move into 2025, these 4 top principles will continue to guide our growth and success.

Key Takeaways:

• Accountability starts at the top: Leaders must model the behavior they want to see.
• Effective communication is key: Set daily, weekly, and quarterly rhythms that keep teams aligned.
• Technology is your ally: Use dashboards and data to drive accountability and performance.
• Foster a culture of excellence: Set clear expectations and hold your teams to high standards, consistently.