Are you part of an inspired team? Then you know that is fun and inspiring, that you are involved and enjoy doing something extra for the organization, that you motivate each other to perform and be productive. Does this excite you? Then be sure to read on, because I have been fortunate enough to lead an inspired team for many years and am happy to share with you my approach.
Whether you are a manager or an employee, you can each contribute to an engaged team. As a manager, you are often in a position to take the lead in this. And as an employee, you can also take the lead.
Investing in team spirit
What makes it so important to invest in an inspired team? Let's assume the opposite for a moment. You are part of a team with little team spirit. Frustrations and underlying tensions arise, bringing indifference, stress and inefficiency. As a result, you become demotivated and tons of energy is lost. This often has a negative impact on results.
Being part of an inspired team will bring you contagious job satisfaction and energy. And from that, income automatically flows.
So what can you do to improve team spirit and create an inspired team?
Communication, human relationships, opportunity for person development, clear goals and clear agreements to reach these goals are important drivers of an inspired team.
To create an inspired team, the first thing you need is sincerity and safety. A safe atmosphere creates trust and ensures that you can communicate openly and connectively. You can do this using the 4 pillars of nonviolent communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg:
- State facts as they occur, without judging anyone e.g. "I note that you are late for our consultation" and test the reaction in the other person. Adopt an attitude of ignorance and empathy: you do not know what makes him late
- Make clear what the facts mean to you, by naming your feelings e.g. 'I feel disrespected because I assumed we would start at time x and I consciously set aside time for this'
- Express your needs by outlining what makes it so important to you e.g. 'It is important to me to be respectful of each other's time'
- Formulate a request and phrase it positively. This way you take responsibility for finding a solution that meets your needs e.g. 'In the future, can you notify me by text message as soon as you know you can't come on time? Then I can fill my time usefully.'
This way of communicating strengthens interpersonal relationships in the team. Read more about this in the book "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall B. Rosenberg.
To apply this way of communication, it is necessary to respect each team member's individuality. How do you do that as a leader?
Better collaboration through genuine personal interest
This is easy if you get to know who your colleagues are. Getting to know your colleagues is done by showing genuine interest in who they are as people: what is important to them, what animates and inspires them, what makes them do what they do, what are they good at and what do they need within the professional context? How do they see their place within the team and the organization? Do this in a gentle and empathetic way and also listen to possible feelings behind words. Make sure you do not make your own story out of it. Always check whether what you have heard is what the other person means. If you do this well, you will pierce the day-to-day superficiality and get in touch with the person behind your colleague. And as human beings we all have our needs and requirements, qualities and pitfalls.
Finer collaboration through genuine interest in the team
In addition, it is important to ask the same questions at the team level: what is important to us as a team, what is our place in the organization, what animates and inspires us, what makes us do what we do and what are we good at? What do we need to achieve the goals? And how do we feel about this as a team? Knowing this creates drive.
From there, you can ensure an optimal division of labor, tailored as much as possible to the individuals on the team. To achieve this, it is necessary that the team and individual goals are clear and motivating: the goals express a result not yet achieved (progress is possible), specific (who, how much, when, where), measurable, acceptable (there is no downside when the goal is achieved), realistic and time-bound. In doing so, individual goals take into account the needs of each team member as much as possible: What is important and meaningful to him/her? What competencies can he/she use to contribute optimally to the team goals? What competencies does he/she wish to develop so that personal growth is possible? Every human being needs growth and development. When you understand this as an organization, your organization grows along with it. Within the daily operations, regularly show appreciation for the contribution of your colleagues, this way you emphasize the fact that you respect them in their individuality.
In my team, for example, I had people who liked building relationships with customers while others were more satisfied with quick results. Each of them I could assign certain tasks and a mutual understanding of the differences between colleagues developed. Each team member was motivated to take responsibility for their tasks, and as a team we strived together toward challenging annual goals. When we achieved them, we celebrated our success together. And that in turn was an ideal opportunity to reconnect with the person behind your colleague.
With career counseling, learn to convey what your needs are
As an employee, it is not always easy to convey what your needs are. To do this in a congruent way often requires self-insight and courage. This is where we are happy to help you from Travvant.
Are you an employer looking to increase your bottom line based on an inspired team? Then it is useful to know the career passport of your employees. With our offer for companies, we have already successfully worked with employees of VUB, Akzo Nobel, Kluwer, Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Belfius Insurance, European Commission, DSM Netherlands and Switzerland ... Request a free interview with us and mention that you are applying through your company.