Mission-Driven Leadership: Exclusive Tips from our Veteran Founder for Building High-Performing Teams
Leadership often begins with a sense of responsibility—a calling to serve a cause greater than oneself. For Dr. Bill Rivard, this calling was shaped by 24 years of military service in the Army Medical Department and brought to life when he founded Matrix Providers in 2010.
As the Founder, President, and CEO of Matrix Providers, Dr. Rivard has built a medical staffing company that exemplifies his commitment to service, excellence, and mission-driven leadership. Under his guidance, Matrix Providers has achieved extraordinary milestones even under some of the most challenging conditions government agencies face.
Dr. Rivard’s leadership has also helped the company rank as the 5th fastest-growing staffing firm in the U.S. (as recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2017) and earned him a place on the prestigious Staffing 100 list in 2018. Today, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company employs hundreds of corporate and clinical staffing professionals working toward the shared mission of serving those who serve us.
Dr. Rivard would be the first to say that none of this would have been possible without his team—a group of passionate, dedicated individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the mission to life, all united under mission-driven leadership.
What is Mission-Driven Leadership?
Mission-driven leadership is an approach to aligning an organization’s actions, decisions, and strategies with its core mission and purpose. It emphasizes a clear sense of purpose that goes beyond profit-making or operational efficiency to focus on creating value for stakeholders, addressing societal challenges, or fulfilling a higher goal. This style of leadership creates a strong sense of teamwork and encourages everyone to work toward the same purpose. It’s about putting the mission first and inspiring others to do the same.
How to Build High-Performing Teams Using Mission-Driven Leadership
While there isn’t a specific formula, building high-performing teams takes more than assembling skilled individuals. It requires creating an atmosphere where people feel inspired and motivated to give their best. So, how do you build that kind of environment?
1. Anchor Everything to the Mission
Every successful team needs a mission—a clear purpose that guides everything they do. People may feel lost or unmotivated without a mission like a ship trying to sail without a destination. A mission gives your team something to aim for, a reason to feel proud of their work, and a sense of purpose.
At Matrix Providers, for example, our mission is to serve America’s military family by aligning exceptional healthcare workers with rewarding career opportunities. This mission is at the heart of everything we do—it’s why we show up to work and put in our best effort.
In the same way, your team needs to understand the “why” behind their work. When they see the bigger picture—how their contributions make a difference—they’ll stay motivated, even during tough times. But it’s not enough to simply have a mission written down somewhere. You, as the leader, need to live and breathe it.
How can you make this happen? Talk about the mission often. Don’t let it be something people forget after their first day. Bring it up in team meetings, one-on-one conversations, or when recognizing someone’s good work. The more you remind your team of the mission, the more it becomes part of their daily thinking. It’s also important to show each person how their role fits into the bigger picture. People feel more connected to the mission when they know how their work contributes to it.
2. Recruit for Character, Not Just Skill
In the pursuit of building high-performance teams, it’s easy to focus on technical skills—what someone can do and how well they can do it. But while skills are important, they’re not the whole picture.
A person’s character—integrity, resilience, emotional intelligence, and ability to work well with others—is just as critical, if not more so. Skills can be taught, but traits like accountability, honesty, and teamwork are much harder to develop.
To build a team with these qualities, approach recruitment as more than just a checklist of skills. During interviews, ask questions that give insight into how a candidate thinks, reacts, and collaborates.
Beyond that, look for signs that the candidate aligns with your organization’s values. Are they open to growth and feedback? Do they show empathy and respect for others? These traits often matter more in the long run than what’s on their resume.
3. Build Trust Through Action
Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams. Without it, even the most talented group of people will struggle to work together. But trust isn’t something you can create just by saying the right words. It’s built through consistent actions that show your team they can rely on you.
Your team members need to see that you mean what you say and that your actions match your words. This means being transparent about your decisions—even when they’re tough—and admitting when you make mistakes.
Nobody expects perfection, but they do expect honesty. Following through on commitments is also key. If you say you’ll do something, make sure you do it. Over time, these seemingly small actions build a solid foundation of trust.
4. Empower, Don’t Micromanage
High-performing teams work best when their members feel empowered to make decisions and take action. On the other hand, micromanaging—constantly hovering over every detail—can kill creativity and make people doubt their abilities.
Empowering your team means giving them the tools and authority to do their jobs while setting clear goals and expectations for what success looks like.
When you do this, you’re showing your team members that you believe in their skills and judgment. This trust not only boosts their confidence but also encourages them to come up with creative solutions and take ownership of their work.
To make this happen, clearly explain what needs to be done and why it matters. Once everyone understands the goals, step back and let your team figure out how to achieve them. Be available to answer questions or offer support, but avoid unnecessarily jumping in. Give them the space to make decisions, even if they make small mistakes along the way—that’s how they’ll learn and grow.
5. Celebrate Wins—Big and Small
Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and recognition is one of the best ways to keep your team motivated. It’s easy to focus only on the big milestones, like landing a new client or finishing a complex task. But small wins matter, too.
Acknowledging them shows your team that every step forward counts and that progress—no matter how small—is important. These celebrations build momentum, encouraging team members to stay focused and motivated for the long haul.
For example, at Matrix Providers, we celebrate outstanding contributions through our Challenge Coin tradition. These coins are given to our team members who go above and beyond: solving a challenging problem, supporting their teammates, or living out our mission exceptionally. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show appreciation and remind people that their hard work makes a difference.
The tradition of gifting Challenge Coins is rooted in a rich history of commemorating commitment and dedication. Originating with military units, Challenge Coins carry unique insignias representing honor and service. They have been used throughout generations—dating back to the Vietnam War, World War I, and even Ancient Rome—as symbols of recognition for extraordinary contributions. Beyond the military, these coins are now also bestowed upon first responders, healthcare workers, and paramedics, celebrating those who go above and beyond in their duties. For us at Matrix, they serve as a tangible reminder of the impact our team has on the lives of others, particularly in the critical mission of supporting those who serve our country.
Recognition doesn’t have to be anything complicated or fancy. Sometimes, a quick thank-you in a meeting or a note to let someone know they’re doing a great job is all it takes to make them feel valued. But whenever possible, tie those celebrations back to your team’s mission. Show how even small wins contribute to the bigger picture so everyone feels connected to the larger goal.
6. Commit to Continuous Growth
Great teams don’t stay the same—they’re always learning, improving, and adapting. If you want your team to stay competitive and engaged, you need to invest in its growth. This can mean offering professional training, providing mentorship, or giving them opportunities to take on new challenges.
Encourage your team to set both personal and professional goals. Maybe one person wants to improve their open communication skills, while another hopes to take on a leadership role someday.
Whatever their goals are, provide the tools and resources to help them succeed. This could be anything from sending them to a workshop to offering one-on-one mentorship. When you show your team that you care about their development, they’ll be more motivated and confident in their roles.
And here’s the thing: promoting growth doesn’t just benefit individuals—it helps the entire organization. A team that’s always learning is more innovative, adaptable, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.
Shape the future of healthcare with Matrix Providers.
At Matrix Providers, we understand the critical role that government agencies play in ensuring that military members, veterans, and their families get the care they need. That's why we're proud to support this mission by providing dependable healthcare staffing solutions that meet your organization's unique demands.
We work closely with agencies to connect them with highly skilled professionals, including veterans and military spouses, who bring unmatched expertise and dedication to every role. Our mission-driven approach is focused on improving the performance of contracted medical staffing systems while helping you deliver the highest standard of care.
If you’re looking for a partner you can trust to meet your healthcare staffing needs, we’re here to help. Come talk to us about your hiring needs, and let’s work together to make a real impact.