Learn the strategies for building a positive team.
We know that old adage ‘There is no I in team’ and the traditional way to describe what each letter of TEAM stands for is:
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
We know these things already, right? However, not every team is successful. One of the most popular questions asked by managers is how to build an effective team capable of delivering results. It is well known that companies that foster their employees, celebrate wins, collaborate well to find solutions and work in an agile way will be the ones to succeed. As the Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Measuring Teamwork:
There is no magical formula for hiring the best people to build an effective team. It takes all sorts of personalities—some who are willing to speak up and others who are happy to do the grunt work. However, teams that display all the characteristics of great group work do so because their leaders make them feel safe in their jobs and trust them to perform at their best.
The hospitality industry is an excellent example of how teamwork can be measured. One of the simplest ways is to walk down a hotel hall and observe how often the staff greets you. People greet not because they are told to say hello, but because it comes naturally to them. Something so simple can indicate if a person is happy at work and with their team environment.
“With practice, the brain can spot distinctions so subtle they’re impossible to describe. For example, in an experiment, humans and computers were asked to spot rocks and mines using sonar detection systems in a submarine. Over time, sonar operators could tell if an object was a mine or a rock, but they couldn’t explain why. Yet the computers still struggled.”
— Dr Daniel Glaser, Director of Science Gallery at King’s College London.
A common proverb states that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It only takes one link to break the process. In the hospitality industry, the team needs to work together. If one person does not pull their weight, service suffers. Conversely, if everyone works together, productivity can increase. Whether you are a manager, cleaning a plate, or a waiter, no one is too good for any job that positively impacts the guests’ experience and contributes to the organisation and brand.
Build a Positive, Agile Team
Consider implementing a few of these strategies in your company to strengthen teamwork:
- Leadership Role: The primary responsibility of leadership is to create automated, self-managing teams. This shift can be significant for some businesses, as it requires leaders to trust their teams to operate independently. By empowering team members, leaders can foster an environment where creativity and initiative thrive.
- Trust: Establishing a culture of trust is crucial for teamwork. When you put 100% trust in your team to achieve common goals, it creates a positive atmosphere. Research shows that when people feel happy, empowered, and trusted, they are more likely to rise to the occasion and perform at their best.
- Empowerment: Allow your team the space to grow and develop. Step back and give them the opportunity to take ownership of their work. While some team members may adapt quickly, others may need more time. Patience and support from leadership are essential in promoting collaboration and helping everyone find their place within the team.
- Minimise Meetings and Bureaucracy: Streamline communication by reducing the number of meetings, roadblocks, sign-offs, and delegations. A flatter internal structure allows team members to take action without navigating unnecessary hurdles. This approach encourages productivity and helps maintain momentum within the team.
- Provide Tools: Equip your team with the necessary tools, software, and collaborative spaces that facilitate effective teamwork. Whether it’s project management software or shared workspaces, having the right resources can significantly enhance collaboration and efficiency
- Lean Reporting: Keep reporting processes simple and efficient. By maintaining a lean reporting structure, you allow your team to focus on what truly matters, ensuring that important issues receive the attention they deserve without getting bogged down in excessive bureaucracy.
- Trust Building: According to research by Dr Zak on oxytocin (a hormone produced in the brain) and its association with human trustworthiness, trust plays a vital role in fostering strong relationships. When you bestow trust on someone, it increases their levels of oxytocin, making them more likely to reciprocate that trust. This cycle of trust can significantly enhance team dynamics and overall performance.
If I trust you, you feel more trustworthy, and you give trust back.
Take a Genuine Interest in Your Team
- Respect: Employees feel respected when a manager greets and acknowledges them and genuinely asks if they need help with something.
- Engagement: Ask questions and let others explain their processes and where they are at.
- Support: Set aside time to assist; it’s better than troubleshooting later.
- Vulnerability: To build trust within a team, share your vulnerabilities—your setbacks and failures, moments of confusion—so your team feels comfortable sharing theirs with you as well. It’s okay to fail; just ensure the learnings are communicated and move on quickly.
- Intent: Communicate the intent behind your actions. When making a decision, don’t just tell people what you think; explain why you believe it. Understanding the ‘why’ helps prevent misunderstandings and improves responses.
- Collaboration: Delegate decision-making to the whole team. Collaboratively make decisions as a group; let them manage the process and hold each other accountable. You’ll benefit from making people feel included in important decisions.
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