Great teamwork can be a company’s ultimate competitive advantage. Being part of an effective team boosts employees’ creativity and morale as well as their ability to meet objectives. Additionally, effective teams enable a company to be flexible enough to efficiently integrate newcomers or take on challenges from competitors.
Consequently, business leaders should cultivate strong teams to ensure their company is well positioned to develop, expand, and support projects, and by extension, the company’s goals. Every team is unique, but the high-performing ones all promote a positive workplace culture that steers the organization through rough times and turbocharges performance in good times.
Here are seven elements for a successful team:
Communication
Strong teams start with great communication. Team members need to be on the same page to operate efficiently. Team leaders can boost motivation and morale by encouraging team members and validating progress. So, communicate clear standards and expectations to your team to ensure they have a clear understanding of the team objectives. Also, be open to new ideas; encourage discussions and listen to team members’ concerns and recommendations.
Commitment
Commitment is the cornerstone of teamwork. It’s imperative that every team member commits to the team’s mission and purpose. The best way to do this is to help them understand the context for current plans. When they do, they are less likely to dwell on short-term difficulties and more likely to commit to succeeding.
Respect
Mutual respect is a fundamental part of team building because it fosters productivity, trust, and loyalty. When they are treated with respect, each member of the team feels that they and their contributions are valued. The best way to earn respect is to give it. Team leaders can set an example and promote a positive work culture by demonstrating respectful behaviors.
Accountability
Team members need to hold each other accountable as they work toward a common goal. If someone isn’t pulling their own weight, other members should rally to address the reason. A team functions better as a unit when members encourage each other to focus on goals and guide those who may not understand the importance of those goals.
Delegation
Delegating tasks to your team members gives them a chance to refine their skills and shows that you trust their abilities. Take the time to evaluate each team member’s skillset so that you can assign them tasks that match their abilities and experience. That way, you will be able to capitalize on the strengths of each team member.
Support
Cultivate a network of support within the team so that members have a resource for encouragement and assistance when challenges arise. When team members support each other, they learn from each other and are also motivated to keep improving their skills for the good of the team. Support can also take the form of praise, advocacy, and inspiration that leads to pride and gratification.
Plans
A strong team makes success practically inevitable, but you will need a project plan that shows what they’ll have to do to achieve their objective. You will also have to break down that plan into specific action stepsthat will be assigned to individual members. Provide clear direction to all involved and meet regularly to discuss barriers, accomplishments, and pending tasks. Even if the information does not pertain to everyone on the team, maintain transparency with all team members whenever possible.
When employees work as a team, it makes the company more powerful. You will have working units that focus on goals and the company vision, which improves organizational effectiveness. Finally, make sure that you and other company leaders show appreciation for your teams; it’s such a powerful motivator that success is almost guaranteed.
Even great teams must be nurtured continuously. To accomplish this, use HireRoad Performance Management tools to track and monitor team activity. Contact us to learn more.