Collaboration and Teamwork; these are big buzzwords in the world of small business.
Schools are even working on getting students to work well together, because business leaders know the importance of employees working well together.
When your employees can pull together on a project and get it done and done well, you’ll see success. You may have some great people working for you, but if they can’t work in a team setting, you could be hurt.
Let’s look at some ways to encourage your staff to work as a team…
What Works Best for You?
Depending on the size of your company and the different backgrounds employees have, you’ll want to pick and choose what will work best for you in terms of fostering collaboration and teamwork.
You can look at the “Expert Interview with Eddy Balcikonis on Working with a Team” for some ideas and insight, as well as take a look at what other successful, similar business are doing. If you can encourage teamwork, success will follow.
Give Employees Room to Collaborate
When employees don’t have time to collaborate, they won’t.
Try to eliminate unnecessary meetings and tasks, so they can fill time with collaborative meetings and brainstorming sessions. Show your employees that you value them and their ideas, so they’ll want to share these great ideas with the team.
Give them a little room and some independence. You probably hired them for a reason; you saw great potential. Allow that potential to thrive.
Encourage Team Building
Take your team away from the office to get them to know each other.
This doesn’t have to include the proverbial trust fall or a weekend retreat; it can be a night out at a baseball game or a session of fun yoga. Something away from work where everyone can laugh a little is a great way to team build.
Remember, if you make it too big of a commitment and too much time away from family, your team could resent you.
Also, encourage team building at work.
Have a place where your employees can get together to brainstorm and work on projects. Big tables or comfy couches can work well. Don’t think just because employees aren’t at their desks that they’re not working.
Develop Cohesion
Include everyone in a team.
When you meet, invite everyone. Allow credit to go to everyone, not just the leader. Let everyone share their ideas and where they are within the project.
Perhaps daily check ins to express goals for the day and what has been accomplished will help everyone stay on the same page, and changes can be made if necessary so everyone is efficient.
Teams are great in the workplace to build productivity and increase business.
You’ve developed a workplace of great skills, personalities and backgrounds; now pull them together for a super power.
As a small business owner, how do you master teamwork in your workplace?
About the Author: Heather Legg is an independent writer who covers topics related to small business, social media and education.