We oftentimes shudder when a manager mentions “team-building” and unfortunately this term gets a bad rap. Despite its reputation, team building is actually one of the most important investments you can make for your organization. A team that works cohesively together and communicates effectively is going to be more successful and productive. Effective team building leads to happier and more engaged employees which is great for company culture. Since teamwork is so vital to the everyday functioning of your organization, it’s worth your while to invest in some effective team-building strategies.
Encourage Employees to Share Ideas
It is important to foster a work environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up and sharing ideas. Remind them that every idea is valuable and let them know you appreciate their willingness to share. This is the first step in opening the lines of communication among team members and communication is vital to the success of a team.
Encourage Trust and Cooperation Among Employees
The relationships that employees have with one another can significantly impact performance. Take notice of how your team is interacting with one another and look for ways to improve communication, cooperation, and trust. You also need to pay close attention to how employees are treating one another and ensure everyone is respectful of others. Should a problem arise, deal with it immediately before it adversely affects the team.
Delegate Tasks to the Team
Managers are often burdened with heavy workloads but you can ease your workload and strengthen your team at the same time by delegating tasks to them. Encourage your team to work collaboratively to come up with creative solutions. This is a great way to foster teamwork while also demonstrating a high level of your trust between the manager and their team.
Establish Team Goals
Individual performance is certainly important but so is the performance of your team as a whole. Sit down with your team and establish clearly defined goals so that you can monitor the progress of the team. Address specific performance standards and incentivize the team with a reward system.
Involve Your Team in Decision Making
Oftentimes managers think it’s their job to make the decision and then simply relay that information to their team. However, involving your team in the decision-making process helps to secure their commitment to the work. Putting several heads together can also lead to better decisions and greater productivity.
Celebrate Team Success
You don’t have to spend lots of money or plan anything elaborate but it’s important to celebrate the successes of your team. Provide lunch for your team one day, leave work an hour early and go out for drinks, allow casual wear one day, or even spend the afternoon doing something fun together. Recognizing the achievements of your team will deepen their bond and give them a sense of pride.