Change isn’t easy. When a company transforms the way it does business, it’s a roller coaster of emotions for everyone. Even when the change is smaller or “business as usual,” the transition can be difficult and frustrating.
In today’s typical company, up to 80% of employees’ days are spent working in teams. The benefits can be enormous: higher-quality and faster problem-solving, a diversity of knowledge and experience that leads to better customer service and speedier responses (due to fewer layers of bureaucracy). A company wants to avoid creating teams that are dysfunctional because it drains employee energy, enthusiasm and creativity.
As a leader in your organization, it is important to position your team members for both long- and short-term success. Here are ten ways to lead by example and inspire your employees to be the best.
- Keep remote workers focused. Conduct weekly one-on-one updates and quarterly goal-setting to better focus your remote employees (as well as everyone else on your team).
- Learn employees’ stories. Sit down with each of your direct reports for 15 minutes at least every few days and learn their stories. Ask about each person’s hopes and goals for the future. Take notes.
- Find their flow. Ask each of your direct reports to identify the most satisfying aspects of their jobs so that more of these tasks can be incorporated into their work.
- Recognize your MVPs. Start giving out a weekly award to recognize teammates who excel and those who do the so-called dirty work.
- Define your purpose. You might not be able to influence the bigger company mission, but you can gather your people to define a team purpose. If you’ve already got a team purpose, get together to talk about what it means in your day-to-day work. Are you living it? Where is the team falling short? What could you all do better?
- Better allocate your time. Conduct an inventory of how you spend your time. Is it with employees? Customers? Bosses? Paperwork?
- Send updates. Be much more open with your team about what you are up to in your meetings and other activities. At the end of the week, ask for feedback.
- Understand the allure. Find a way to help employees better understand your competitors’ wares and, more important, lead your team in a discussion about how to outpace your rivals.
- Block off time in your day. Set aside the same hour every day to silence your phone, turn off your computer, and get out and connect with your team.
- Have FUN!
If you have any questions or need help in inspiring your employees, please reach out to your assigned DecisionHR Human Resources Business Partner.
