Six Rules for Inspiring Teams
In the last several weeks we have been doing a series of teamwork one of the most important assets of a business. This week we want to talk about the rules of inspiring teams.
Implementing teamwork and communicating the goals for success is only half the battle in succeeding with teams. If left to nurture themselves, the business will not attain the goals set, some teams will strive for success while others might lag behind, the key is to motivate and inspire them to reach further and higher in order to keep moving forward.
In order to inspire teams, the company leaders need to implement and pass on several concepts:
1. Common Goals
The first step in inspiring a team is to make sure they understand what the business goals are, and that they understand that those goals are to be aimed for regardless of individual goals.
The common goal for the team should be consistent with the business owner’s goals for the business. Team leaders should know and understand this in order to pass it on to their team members and inspire them to reach the goal.
2. Strong Leadership
People, particularly in the workplace, tend to follow the pace set by their leaders. If the leadership of the company and team is seen as strong and confident, the team will pick up on the attitude and apply it to their work.
Strong leaders have the ability to instill teams the desire to go above and beyond what is expected of them, what has been termed ‘discretionary effort’ – extra effort provided by people when they want to provide it. Leaders can provide the inspiration for this by displaying leadership and personal humility in their professional lives in such a manner that the teams feel they have a caring and hard working leader.
Strong leaders also have the ability to be both the praiser and the scapegoat, crediting their employees when things are going well and yet taking blame for times when things aren’t going so well.
3. Defined Limits and Rules
A leader who defines the limits and rules of the company clearly and makes them openly available will create teams that understand the rules of the game and know what is expected. Companies who don’t define the values and culture of the company or the expected responsibilities of each role will find they have a company that either has to be policed by a manager which stifles teams, or they find they have a business that is running itself, which may not be in the best interest of the company.
4. Support Innovation and Ideas
Teams that are allowed to express their ideas and implement them feel more a part of the company’s growth and are more willing to go that extra mile. Business growth is about trying new ideas and taking risks, the level of creativity allowed is based on the type of business, the point is allowing team leaders and teams to reach out and offer their ideas.
6. Include Everyone in the Business
Most everyone has experienced the dreaded feeling of seeing the bosses go into a closed door meeting. Tensions rise and people start doubting themselves. While it is impossible for all employees to be included in absolutely everything in a company, it is important for teams and team leaders to feel they are kept up to speed on the company and its growth and its concerns.
Open communication is important in inspiring teams to move forward. The fear of the unknown is a powerful deflator in teamwork. Worrying about what is going on in the company can slow progress, while open communication and being included in as much as possible will inspire the teams to perform better.
Inspiring teams to reach their goals is an important part of being a business leader. Communication, strong leadership qualities, allowing ideas and having an open business model are all inspiring factors that lead to successful teams.
This is article is written and owned by Workplace Excellence, LLC.
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