Although many business owners know that teamwork is the most effective way to complete a big project and/or get things done quickly, many find it difficult to manage a cohesive team. Broader team dynamics can often cause the work and your team management capabilities to suffer; having a detrimental impact on your business. Below I have listed three key tips for fostering great teamwork, resulting in an increase in productivity levels and business success.
1) Play to individual strengths.
A great way to manage a team, is to ensure that you play to individual strengths within the group. Figure out how these individual skills work together as a team and you will be onto a winning strategy. The best way to think of your team members, is as individual cogs in the overall ‘business machine’ – when positioned and treated correctly, the cogs will fit together and run smoothly but when they grind together, the machine comes to a halt. As the business owner, it is essential that you build a well-oiled machine that works and does not break down – playing to individual strengths will ensure this.
2) Steer the conversation.
When holding team discussions, as the leader you should try to steer the conversation so that everyone has their say. Ensure that people’s suggestions are not shot down as this can lead to hesitation from employees who may have previously been eager to share their thoughts with the rest of the group. The best strategy to follow, is an open-door policy, where everyone feels comfortable in the knowledge that they will not be judged for their ideas and that they will be taken seriously. Nevertheless, if the conversation does turn into a tangent, be sure to move the conversation along so that the negatives are not dwelled upon.
3) Ensure clear communication.
When coworkers work together, great things happen. Effective teams that practice teamwork are more open with one another and are more likely to resolve issues in a calm manner. Clear communication ensures that everyone is on the same page in terms of work, set tasks and expectations. Indirect communication should only be used as a last resort, when absolutely necessary as it is easy for tone and message to become muddled, leading to miscommunication and the possibility for workplace disagreements.
What methods do you use to ensure effective teamwork?
Further Reading:
D. Mattson (2016). ’12 Tips For Fostering Teamwork’: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270024
