Want to create a strong team and a healthier work environment?
Maybe its just me, but I have noticed that lately it seems it is more difficult to really get to know the people we work with the way we used to. When I first started working, I had a lot of "work friends". We socialized, we hung out - we knew each other's significant others, friends and families. As our careers progressed, we watched each other move up, move on, get married, buy homes, start families, go back to school. It seems that many of the connections I forged early in my career were some of the strongest I have had, and still maintain.
This got me thinking: if we want to build stronger work teams and healthy cultures where people interact with each other face to face, we need to change some of our own behaviors. This may mean stepping outside of your comfort zone.
We have to start by getting to really know and understand the people who work with us. If you happen to be a leader of people - you can have a huge impact on breaking down barriers and strengthening your own team. Strong teams can have tremendous impact on others around them - positive behavior can catch on and spread.
How can you develop these skills in yourself and in others?
Developing people is likely the single most important responsibility of a leader. So, why is it that some leaders seem to believe they can alter behaviors, shift culture and accomplish difficult strategic goals when they don’t truly know the people working for them?
It’s not enough to know a name and title: leaders need to deepen their relationships beyond the superficial. It takes time, a bit of effort, and the willingness to talk to the people who work on your team one on one, without letting your "roles" come into play during these interactions. You need to let yourself be a little vulnerable to do this. Over time and at a minimum, as a leader you should strive to learn about each team member:
What makes them tick? What drives them professionally? What makes them happy personally?
What projects are they working on? How are they coping with their workload, is it too light, just right, or too heavy? What do they hope to work on next?
What are their goals and aspirations? What projects, assignments and learning opportunities can help them reach those goals?
What pressures are they feeling personally and from the organization? How can you help them alleviate those pressures so that they can do their best work?
Are there interpersonal issues that could impact their performance or ability to work with certain people or on projects effectively? How can you help navigate the political waters to ensure their success?
Making some small changes - talking to people one on one, saying, "good morning", lending a helping hand can get things rolling towards a healthier work environment and a stronger team. As a leader, you owe it to the people who work on your team to know them well enough to confidently speak with them and others of their projects, their abilities, their goals, and their character. By demonstrating that you care about the people on your team, over time you will develop the trust necessary to drive positive change and do great things together.
©2017 Dawn A. Armfield, ValueFlo Consulting LLC
