In this article you will find:
- 8 useful tips on how to build effective teams
- Frequently asked questions about team building
Here are a few tips to help you build an effective virtual office, and improve business communication and productivity among your team.
8 Tips on How to Build Effective Teams
1. Understand What a Great Team Is
A great team consists of a few elements that must be present at all times:
- Clear objectives - each team member must be aware of the meaning of a particular activity as part of a larger objective.
- Clear roles - everyone within the team must be aware of the hierarchy and their role in it.
- Flawless communication - whenever someone has a question or gets an idea, they should be able to communicate it. The communication within the team must be as smooth as possible.
- Cooperation - teamwork is not about individual achievements; it’s about what the group accomplishes together.
- Individual development within the team - although it’s teamwork we’re talking about, the individual must not lose their authentic voice throughout the collaboration.
2. Establish Strong Leadership
If you want to know how to build an effective team, you must learn how to be an effective leader first. Only effective leader has influence even when they are not around. That influence pushes the team to work effectively throughout all group and individual activities.
The right kind of leadership does not mean imposing authority in an authoritarian way. It means fostering trust through transparency and an honest approach. You don’t have realistic chances to be with your team at all times, but you must be open enough for them to approach you with any issue.
3. Build the Connection Between the Team Members
The leader must continuously evaluate the way the members of the team are working together. Ideally, your team should be self-sufficient and perform without you having to lead them through every step. Your job is not done by forming the team and giving instructions, but rather by guiding your team to work well with one another more effectively.
As teams become comfortable with one another, their efficiency and productivity will improve as they build trust and confidence in each other.
Here are a few ways to help members of the team to familiarize themselves with each other's roles and work styles:
- Team-building exercises - Simple activities to help members build trust and let them know they can depend on one another can go a long way toward increasing your team's effectiveness and productivity.
- Improve cooperation among team members - Try different things such as taking them all out for lunch or an after-work get-together. Encourage them to get to know each other. Ask them about their hobbies and interests, so you’ll take the conversation to a more personal level. If possible, invest in a fun activity, such as a workplace wellness program.
- Encourage them to collaborate! When you hire someone new, assign a mentor to introduce them to the workflow. Mentorship programs are great for developing connections!
4. Establish a Connection with Each Team Member
As a leader, you must get to know each team member. Each person has a specific set of skills, as well as interests and drawbacks. When you know these things, you can match each worker with the right task. That’s the best way to help them boost their productivity and become more satisfied with their job.
Work to build trust and engagement with each employee on a personal level. Find out how their unique skills, interests, and strengths can be used to improve the team's output. As you build your trust in them, they, in turn, will be building their trust in you and the company to provide the necessary resources needed for them to grow and succeed.
You shouldn’t get too personal with the employees, though. Congratulating their birthdays and attending their weddings (when invited) should be enough to keep the connection going. However, remember that you’re the leader and you must keep these relations professional.
5. Invite Contributions And Collaboration!
Harnessing the power of your employees' ideas can really help your company grow. You want to inspire the practices of contribution and collaboration for each and every member of the team.
You can create an environment like this only if you start contributing and collaborating yourself. The team members will follow your example. In addition to serving as a good example, you should encourage trust and cooperation among the employees, too. Pay close attention to the way the team works together and take specific steps to improve the level of trust and cooperation.
You may encourage them to share more information about the progress of their tasks. Ask for frequent reports and feedback so that you can evaluate the level of contribution and collaboration of each individual and within the group as a whole.
These simple things will provide a transparent workplace environment that allows everybody to see the bigger picture and feel more personally invested in the overall progress of the company.
6. Set Ground Rules For the Team
Establish your team by creating team values and goals, as well as evaluating team performance alongside individual performance. Be sure to include your team in this process, so they know what’s required and agree with it.
7. Invest in Team-Building Events
Different types of team-building events will develop strong relations and a sense of community within the team. These types of events are a great way to foster better communication and collaboration among team members. If approached in a way that is both educational and entertaining, it can create a memorable experience that creates lasting friendships and partnerships.
Consider investing in some of these activities:
- Fundraising projects - connect the team towards accomplishing a noble goal.
- Social events - such as picnics or bowling competitions.
- Outdoor adventures - such as hiking, sailing, climbing, and other physically challenging activities. The challenge shouldn’t be overwhelming. It should be attainable for all members of the team, but they should still make an effort to achieve a common goal.
- Indoor activities - such as filming an office video, playing team board games, or inventing a social game.
8. Monitor and Review
Evaluation techniques are part of the process of developing a great team. You need to use obvious metrics, such as financial measures to evaluate the success of the team and each individual in it. When you set precise goals, you must measure the achievements at precise intervals of time.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- What has the team achieved so far?
- What did they change?
- What did they learn?
- What’s working well?
- What aspects of teamwork need improvement?
Monitor the work at all times and provide appropriate feedback to push your team towards greater effectiveness.
Takeaways
Building an effective team is one of the most important responsibilities of a leader. It’s not something you can instantly achieve. It’s an ongoing process, which requires constant attention and evaluation. Hopefully, the 8 tips above will help you build the team that will take your organization to success.
People also ask these questions about building effective teams
Here are the answers to the most common questions about building effective teams:
1. What are the six characteristics of effective teams?
Six Characteristics That Make a Highly Effective Team
- Each Team Member Has Emotional Intelligence.
- A Good Mix of Introverts and Extroverts.
- They Share and Understand Their Common Goals.
- They Make Time for Humor.
- They Communicate Proactively.
- Strong Leadership at the Helm.
2. What is needed for team building?
Interpersonal skills are necessary for effective teamwork, as well as networking and work-related social events. The most valuable interpersonal skills include assertiveness, negotiation, conflict resolution, and non-verbal communication skills, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures.
3. What is the goal of team building?
The purpose of team building activities is to motivate your people to work together, to develop their strengths, and to address any weaknesses. So, any team building exercise should encourage collaboration rather than competition. Be sure to incorporate team building into your workplace routines and practices.
