John C. Maxwell coined the phrase ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ in 2002, but its message is just as relevant today. In business, a solid team is essential for finding success, and nurturing an effective team environment should be a manager’s top priority. Much of this involves getting to know each person on a deeper level than knowing their name and job position. Whether a business is remote or physical, there are plenty of ways to do this.
Use Live Polls
When you’re trying to get to know a large workforce or a remote team, it can be difficult to have meaningful conversations. Fortunately, there are ways to reach everyone simultaneously by using Vevox, which is a brilliant platform for live polls. With the power of the Vevox app, you can create straightforward questions that can be sent out to all employees. After analysing the results provided by Vevox, you can work out a strategy to follow up with your team.
Attend Social Events
Being busy and managing go hand in hand, but it’s important to step away every now and again. A great way to do this and get to know your team is by attending social events. For example, if some of your team go to the pub on a Friday evening, tag along and bring out your non-manager mask.
Playing Games
Any team is put together to reach goals, and remaining on-task is an essential part of succeeding. However, there’s nothing wrong with taking the odd time out to enjoy games with your team, which will be the perfect opportunity to open lines of conversation and get to know them.
If your business is physical, schedule time in a conference room and bring in the board games and a deck of cards. If you’re managing a remote team, there are plenty of virtual games you can enjoy; Jackbox is a prime example.
Work Alongside Them
If you’re a manager that leads from the top, you’ll never fully get to know a team. Whereas, if you head into the field and work alongside your team, a platform for shared ideas will emerge. You can use the experience to ask questions about different employee methods – you may find some of them to be effective.
Demonstrate Authenticity
Many managers live a double life – one inside the office and one outside – where the two are never allowed to meet. However, this setup isn’t healthy for promoting trust within a team because people can sniff out a lack of authenticity. Therefore, to break into the motivations of your team, you’ll need to welcome some of your outside life into the workspace. This doesn’t mean you need to share your most emotional stories, just don’t be afraid to tell stories and share real experiences.
When team leaders know each member on a personal level, they’re in a better position to bring out their true potential. Even though getting to know your team means taking time away from work-based tasks, keep in mind the enormous benefits.
Photo credits: Coworking London