Creating a team with the right people whose personalities, work ethics, attitudes, and respect levels will mesh can be hard enough. Making your team feel important, individually and as a whole, is just as important and can prove to be just as difficult. There are a many things you can do to keep your team willing to work and feel important; here are a few.
In any workplace, there is typically that one employee who is not willing to work with others. Therefore, increasing the “fun” factor, to an appropriate level, is crucial. Have meetings outside the office conference room where there is more of an inviting and stress free atmosphere. Allow for your team to go to seminars, retreats, and team building activities to make working as a team more than just plugging away at that months project.
Promoting team bonding in any way possible will help your rebel team member feel a little more at ease and will be more willing to work as a team if work is just a little more fun. Keep in mind, though, that how much flexibility you give your team needs to be done within reason. If you allow your team to run away with the “fun” factor, they will lose respect in you as their superior.
You need to motivate your team for success. Each member of your team needs to individually know their role in the team and needs to have a reason to work. They need to have some incentive for completing tasks you may assign them. Give each member responsibilities and goals that they can strive for and have something for them as a reward. Whether it’s a promotion, a day off, a work party upon completion, anything positive will be an incentive for your team.
Motivating also extends beyond just what you can give your team physically. Be a good listener and address each team member by his or her name; it is the easiest way to make them feel important. Dale Carnegie once said: “A person’s name is, to him or her, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
You can also make your team feel important by actively trying to keep work morale up and keep the work environment positive. Be willing and open to opinions, comments, and concerns that your team may feel necessary to share with you. Be consistent with your decisions and let your employees know the reasoning behind them. Keeping yourself relaxed and open will create a stress free work environment, allowing your employees to be productive and creative as possible.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Michigan, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Michigan. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @MarkWillDCT.
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