What is a strong team?
A strong team is a group of people who could efficiently work together to produce the best results and increase productivity. A strong team can predict what will happen, what needs to happen, and work to get it done successfully.
5 Ways to Build a Strong Team
#1 It all starts with HIRING
Your team needs to work well with each other and like each other to some degree to get something done. Most people spend more time at work than they do with their significant other. So, who you work with is really important.
When you hire, they should have a chance to meet the team and make sure they are a good fit with the other employees. Give them a chance to “date before they get married.” A job is (hopefully) a long term commitment and being a good fit personality-wise is almost equally important as their ability to do the job.
#2 Determine and agree on all responsibilities
In order to have a team that is working together effectively, all responsibilities need to be delineated to each team member and understood by everyone else. If nobody knows what anyone is doing, you will not have a strong team. In a perfect world, every team member would cross-train with someone else.
The second important factor in this equation is that they AGREE on the responsibilities. Consult the individual’s willingness to do each part of their job, make sure each part is fully understood and the importance of why it is done, and their production will likely exceed expectations. When an employee is not doing a task that I think is very important, most of the time I come to find that they don’t understand why they are supposed to be doing it and their boss demands it without reason.
#3 Continue to build your team
Once you have the hiring and responsibilities in place, you have to build your team. You cannot hire them and expect them to run on their own indefinitely. What needs to be done is continuous investment and improvement. A good team is like a family, and a family communicates and problem solves as a group. Training and personal investment go a long way in building a long-standing reliable team.
#4 Practice what you preach
Each member of a team, including the leader, is setting an example for the rest of the team whether they think they are or not. It is not just the boss running the show. If someone is working hard, it is noticed by the other team members. Someone showing up late every day is noticed by the team members. A team member who shows up to work every day, gets their job done and inspires others is a great asset. The same goes for the boss. If you show up to work upset and disheveled, your team will notice. Your team is a reflection of you as a leader and they will look to you for guidance and a standard of behavior.
#5 Set a standard of open communication
Communication is the keynote of success. Create an environment that allows the team to talk to each other and talk to you as a leader whether it be personal or professional. Allow your team to ask questions without judgment and to share openly. A team who feels their communication is limited is a few steps away from going under. Good communication results in problem solving, understanding and willingness to improve.
With all of these implemented, you are on your way to having a strong team that is going to propel your business forward.
This is the ultimate guide to building a strong team to scale your business.
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