You know what’s really fun? Getting to work with people who love being a part of a team: the type of people who bring positive energy to what they do, and know that nobody can win unless we all win. Those are the kind of people it takes to build a strong culture.
Take a look around you. Do you already have great people helping your team run like a well-oiled machine? Or, maybe, you’ve got a great group, but they each seem more interested in doing their own thing than working together. Or, (most likely), you’re somewhere in between. No matter where you are on the scale, we’re here to help you create a culture that gets everyone moving in the same direction … maybe even at the same time!
First thing's first ... team communication.
Ah, communication. It seems like such a minuscule part of the equation (unless you’ve read ANY personal development book ever, or listened to ANY self–development podcast ever), but it’s oh-so important. Because the reality is, it’s hard—pretty much impossible—to do great work without talking to the people you work with. So, make this a top priority for your team.
- Get the team together for a monthly gathering. Have everyone share their wins and what they’re working on (this can be done virtually via Zoom™ or FaceTime® if needed!)
- Get to know everyone’s communication styles. It’s not one-size-fits-all!
- Great communication starts from the top! As a leader, make sure you’re regularly checking in, being open to feedback, and willing to listen. (And if you need to improve your active listening skills, check out this post.)
Team communication is a tough one to tackle. But once it’s been established, you’ll find our following tactics a whole lot easier to implement.
Encourage cross-training.
Who says we all have to stick to doing just one thing? If someone shows interest in leadership, speaking, or something else outside their realm, encourage them! Everyone on a team should have the opportunity to expand their skillset. Or they should at least have the opportunity to observe what others on the team do each day.
We get so hyper-focused on our individual tasks that we forget how we are each small pieces of the big picture. By getting out of our bubbles and stepping into someone else’s shoes, we get a much deeper understanding of one another. And that’s how the best teams grow.
Make everybody feel like a somebody.
An effective team is one in which each member feels like they’re an important piece of the puzzle. And how do you establish a culture like this? … By making a solid effort to include everyone! Try these ideas:
- Listen to people (notice how we keep repeating this one? 😉)
- Allow everyone to share their ideas. It’s amazing how confident people become when they feel seen and heard.
- Give compliments often (another great confidence-booster!).
- Ask people about themselves more often than you talk about yourself.
- Tell people they’re appreciated—it goes a long way!
It starts with you.
Ultimately, it’s up to you, as a leader, to establish the culture of your team. While that may lead you to feel some pressure, you should look at this as an exciting opportunity! You get to mold great people into a great team to create an environment that everyone wants to be a part of. How awesome is that?
Above all, remember that people will be more likely to do as you do, not as you say. So, model the behavior you’d like to see emulated. Be a team player, be positive, and be kind. We’re rooting for you!
