Bringing Your Business Team to the Next Level
An effective business team can be the difference between a successful project and a disaster. When teams work well, everyone is heard, individual strengths are utilized, and goals are consistently met in a timely manner. When teams work badly, some people hog the limelight, skills are underutilized if acknowledged at all, and deadline schedules crumble under group tension. If you want your business teams to do the best they can for your business, here are some tips to consider.
One of the best things you can do when forming a team, or directly thereafter, is establishing expectations and methods of communication. Start by making sure everyone knows what to expect during group work. Communication can be the downfall of an otherwise successful team, so come up with ways for everyone to be heard equally. Together, the team can come up with solid, reachable goals.
In order to establish the purpose of the team, you should learn the unique strengths and weaknesses of each member. This can help ensure that individual tasks are completed by the most qualified members, so that everything should be done right the first time. This can also give members the opportunity to exercise skills others might not have been aware of.
Once your business teams are up and running, don’t leave them to their own devices. While the team plans may seem optimal at the beginning, they could easily fall apart in practice. Encourage regular evaluations so that everyone can express how they think the project is going. If you make the assessment anonymous, group members may be willing to reveal complaints they otherwise wouldn’t have been comfortable saying.
Encourage a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere where individual thoughts are welcome. People tend to be more likely to share ideas if they know others won’t give harsh criticism. You can encourage laughter and a stronger team bond through various activities, though it’s up to you to discover which activities will fit your company culture while also challenging your teams.
After the project is complete, take the time to celebrate the team’s achievements. A little can go a long way in expressing thanks and congratulations, like a special lunch or party thrown during work hours. By making a celebration an integral part of your project completion, you send the message that you value the work your teams accomplish together. Though wrangling groups of different people can be difficult, business teams have the potential to accomplish great things with the guidance of thoughtful leadership.
