Unarguably, employees are one of the most important resources for an organization.
It’s not only necessary to hire a qualified and skilled workforce, but also employees who can work well with each other.
It’s possible that even a talented employee may not benefit your organization’s success if they are unable to function within the structure of a team.
Is your team lacking motivation?
If you’re leading an incompetent team, take a look at some ways you can inspire collaboration and guide them in the right direction.
1. Establish Good Communication
Lack of effective communication can lead to misunderstandings and subsequent errors.
In some cases, it can even develop hostility in employees if they don’t feel heard.
Employees should have the tools and comfort to communicate their ideas as well as concerns to supervisors and coworkers.
Good communication is key for leading a motivated team.
2. Set Clear Goals
When a goal is clearly set, a team knows what they have to accomplish.
Every member of a team should be aware of their goals.
This will help them streamline their collective efforts and resources to meet the target.
3. Break the Ice
A newly formed team may not be able to meet performance goals simply because there is no camaraderie among them.
Usually, the feeling of trust develops over time.
But as you’re running a business, you don’t have that kind of time to spare.
You can speed up the process with team building activities.
Such experiences break the ice and help employees get to know each other. Explore Odyssey Teams to learn more.
4. Define Roles
When you are leading a team, nothing should be left to interpretation.
For instance, in football, a quarterback is responsible for calling the play in the huddle while a wide receiver has to catch passes from the quarterback.
The defined roles in sports can be seen as an analogy for workplace teams.
5. Efficiently Resolve Conflicts
Assuming that your team will always be in agreement is an unrealistic expectation.
Conflicts are bound to happen when different people are working on a project.
Disagreements aren’t necessarily bad.
They are a testament to the fact that your employees are putting forward creative ideas and challenging each other.
That being said, it’s necessary to put useful mediation tools and tactics in place to resolve conflicts effectively.
6. Improve Hiring Criteria
An employee may seem highly qualified on paper, but they may not to the right fit for your team.
When hiring, select employees who are familiar with working in a team environment and can quickly adapt.
7. Avoid Micromanaging
If a manager is constantly micro-managing, employees may not be able to deliver their best performance, give your employees space and opportunity to do their thing.
8. Host Social Gatherings
Trust is a vital part of teamwork.
By hosting social gatherings, you can help employees connect in a less stressful environment.
This is a great way to foster trust and build a good work relationship.
9. Recognize Exceptional Work
When a team achieves exceptional results, it’s crucial to reward such work.
Also, if a member is working hard within a team, they should be given individual recognition.
10. Ask for Feedback
There’s no one better than your employees to help you understand how teamwork can be improved in the organization.
It’s also a smart idea to introduce anonymous feedback channels for employees who aren’t particularly outspoken.
The Bottom Line
The ability to work in a team is an important skill to have in an employee.
But it isn’t something that can be imposed like a rule.
It has to be encouraged, nurtured, and reviewed.
Make sure you’re giving your employees adequate tools to collaborate. It’s critical for overall success!