Great teams do the basics very well and consistently. When we all do a little, we all get a lot. As Rob Bell says, It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Rob believes there are three job factors that matter most to people when it comes to teamwork:
Appreciation.
The way to motivate is to validate. Tell people you appreciate them and say thank you for their contributions or expertise. Sounds easy, right? Use Rob’s SIP method of specific, immediate, and personal. Be specific. If you’re not specific, you may come off as unauthentic. Appreciate them in the moment and as immediate as possible. And make it from the heart. Mean what you say and convey that it’s personal.
The feeling of being “in” on things.
Include people. Ask their opinions, share strategies, and collaborate. Your employees are on the front lines, dealing with clients day in and day out. They understand their needs and wants. By brainstorming and using their ideas, you’ll motivate them even further.
Sympathetic help.
We all have life outside of work. When an employee is going through a tough, personal issue, lend them your ear or just let them know you’re thinking of them.
Two Heads are Better Than One
It’s one thing to join a team, but quite another to perform as a team member. Teams that are effective and run well will produce the best work and perform at a high rate. This, however, is easier said than done. Team members have to control their egos, resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, and commit to a common goal. With the right employees on board, there are many ways teamwork benefits the workplace:
- Group mentality. Teams working together accomplish projects more quickly as each individual uses their skills in a more timely fashion.
- Collaboration = creativity and learning. Brainstorming with a diverse group will only bring about creative solutions. Individuals sharing their own experiences will maximize your knowledge of the project and provide insight to your organization that will stick with you for the rest of your career.
- Building trust and bonding. Relying on others to fulfill their part of the project builds trust and teamwork with coworkers. It also provide an atmosphere to speak freely and share ideas, increasing open communication. Sharing in a project’s success is a bonding experience for the whole group.
- Teaches Conflict Resolution. When you put several team members together, from different backgrounds with different work ethics, it won’t be all rainbows and unicorns. But in the end, having a common goal to achieve, employees will be forced to work out their issues and problems themselves instead of turning to managers.
- Reduced stress. Group work takes away the stress of one individual having to complete a project on his or her own.
- Allows risk taking. By having the support of their team members, groups are able to take more risks and try new avenues knowing they have their supporters to fall back on in case of failure or issues that may arise.
About Rob Bell
Rob began teaching his customer service and communication techniques early in his tenure as the Personnel Development and Education & Training Director for Dick’s Supermarkets, Inc. Drawing on 25+ years of experience in leadership roles, customer service, and training, Rob makes it simple, clear and FUN to improve customer service and gain leadership skills.
Before becoming Dick’s Supermarkets’ go-to-guy for training, Rob worked as the accounting manager for a large trucking company, an auditor, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Rob now tours the country teaching the principles that have helped hundreds of companies and organizations improve their communication strategies.
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