Team Tool Tips
Improve your team meetings
Many managers don’t think giving time to build a team is worth it. Or else they just go through the routine of “doing the HR stuff to get them out of the way.”
What difference does a focus on teamwork make? Try the opposite! Not attending to conflict among employees has a detrimental effect on the workplace. Distractions, lack of trust, resignations and disciplinary action, mistakes and miscommunication which all impact on productivity.
And if you’ve ever been in a great team, you know how trust and being part of something going well means you do your best work and go the extra mile with ease.
If you want to see your team improve their outlook, try this at your next team meet. It will only take a few minutes.
Ask this one question:
“What has gone well this week for you?” Ask them to say just one or two sentences, uninterrupted or commented on by anyone else – and just thank them when they finish.
All the managers who have tried it - and some of them have been very sceptical - have been amazed at how it has improved teamwork and started a more supportive and encouraging workplace. Let me know what you think of this. If there’s a pause, start with something that’s gone well for you. That should get the ball rolling. And just keep asking this every team meeting
Do a health check on your team
Here’s some questions to ask yourself - and maybe your second in charge – as a health check on your team. Because toxic teams are in danger of breaking up, and definitely don’t do their best work in an unhealthy state. Then can take charge and get them back to good health.
- Are your team meets boring and just going through the motions? (Pun intended!) Meetings are a great place to indicate health. Check if one or two people dominate – everyone should have a say – even if it’s just agreeing with someone else.
- Is there silence when you ask for ideas or try to get feedback about a pain point, problem or something new in a meeting?
- Is everyone dealt with in the same way? Although every individual performs differently, they all need to have consistency in the way they’re dealt with. If someone’s late without a reasonable explanation, are they all asked to make up for it? Does everyone get an opportunity to be involved with interesting projects? Are you hanging out with staff who are like you because it’s easier to talk to them?
- Is sensitive information kept about each team member and your customers? Gossip and innuendo can undermine or ruin a good team.
- Last but not least, do you have fun? If there’s a sense of trust and being able to be yourself, then you’ll be sure that laughter and camaraderie follow.