Team building strategies are a very important part of any leader’s tool box. The challenge comes when star employees leave the company. Many of my clients have told me that they left jobs because they didn’t feel part of the team. They couldn’t make decisions without having to go through many layers in the company. They didn’t get support when they made smart mistakes and poor performance was not addressed.
Do these questions sound familiar?
How can I encourage people to make decisions when management is absent?
How can I encourage calculated risks so our company stays current?
How can we act as a team, instead of individuals striving for separate goals?
The answer is in one word…MOTIVATION. Motivation gives confidence, strength, and trust in your own decisions. Successful businesses know the impact of a motivated team.
Learn the 5 P’s of motivation to support dedicated people who’ll bring long-lasting results:
Team Building Strategies #1: Permission…to make decisions and take risks.
Help people see how they’re setting up roadblocks to their success. You may hear people saying “I’m not ready yet”, or “I don’t know enough”. If I waited until I was ready to make that perfect keynote speech, I’d still be waiting! Encourage calculated risks! These positive statements need to become standard in your workplace:
“Everyone fears new things when they are in unfamiliar territory.”
“The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it.”
“There are three kinds of people – those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened!”
Team Building Strategies #2: Protection…even if they make a mistake.
Make sure the penalty for failure is not greater than the penalty for doing nothing. Professional growth is all about learning from our mistakes. Make sure you stand by your team, even when they fail. If they make a mistake, ask this very important question, “What did you learn, and how would you handle it differently if this situation came up again?” Share mistakes that you made in order to be transparent and let them know what you learned about the mistake.
Team Building Strategies #3: Purpose… Know the company’s goals and answers to the typical conflicts that arise.
Challenge your team by asking why and why not. This forces constant improvement. Recognize market changes. Encourage problem-solving and brainstorming. Technology is expanding at an amazing rate, making some present techniques obsolete. Look at trends and then be ready. Listen when your team speaks about products or processes that are not working anymore. This seems so obvious. My clients have left companies when leadership was stuck in the status quo and their egos. They knew the company was sinking before leadership saw it coming.
Team Building Strategies #4: Proficiency… Know the difference between complacency and excellence.
Encourage people to think of themselves as the owners of their own careers. Help them learn features and benefits of every product and service in the company. Train people to listen to the client’s needs. Role play with common objections, so staff is prepared when they’re rejected. This way, everyone will be more prepared. Make sure to be consistent and discipline or train team members who are not doing their job. Your star employees are watching when leaders let complacency and mediocrity rule the culture.
Team Building Strategies # 5: Pay-off… Appreciate and recognize superior work.
All people have a basic need for appreciation. Let your team know the success of the business is partly due to their efforts and achievements. Star employees need to know that their opinion and efforts are making a difference. Make sure to concentrate on them or else they will leave and find a company with a better culture.
When you use the 5 P’s of motivation you’ll see an increase in morale, productivity, retention, and success. These are my tried and true methods – experiment with your own, then sit back and enjoy the fabulous results!
I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about how you motivate your team. What is your experience keeping star employees from leaving?Do You Want to See How Your Communication Impacts Your Success at Work?
CLICK HERE to take the easy and fun Communicate with Impact Quiz. I will send your results immediately and you will learn more about setting boundaries to be more effective at work and in your life. Sound good?
Here’s the LINK
Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach
You can learn how to improve your leadership skills by communicating your important message to both star employees and those who keep you up at night! 🙂 I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.
VISIT our Team Building Consultant Services page to see how we can help your team become even more successful.
Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on-line professional growth coaching.
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
See YOU Next Week.
P.S. Do you want more information about keeping your star employees motivated?
CLICK HERE to read my article on How to Deal with Mediocrity at work
VISIT our Knowledge Base on Team Building for more articles and podcasts
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