Learning the Ropes: Building Your Team
We’re starting a new series called: Learning the Ropes, where we go in-depth about the business topics that matter most. Today’s topic is building the right team. "Team-Building" might bring high ropes courses or ice-breakers to mind, but it's actually something far more profound. The right team can set your business on a path of success, creating decades-long workplace relationships. At the same time, the wrong one can quickly topple an entire company. Like a house meant to last, the foundation (your team) must be rock-solid. Read on to find out how to build a successful team.
Building Your Team
Recruit the right talent
This requires a competitive salary. The market is as competitive as it's ever been, especially when it comes to administrative positions. Generally, spending 20% to attract (and retain) qualified candidates is better than pinching pennies on someone who isn't the best fit. Most candidates won’t be a good match, and a college-educated, experienced candidate will go a long way toward the team's productivity as a whole.
Recognize Success
Employees who feel appreciated and recognized by their peers and superiors are more likely to stay motivated during stressful periods. Recognizing specific accomplishments buoys the morale of the team and increases employee retention. Ultimately, a team is made up of humans, not robots—we're all motivated and satisfied by those human interactions. This type of positive reinforcement builds trust and camaraderie between an employee and their team.
Diversify
Diversity isn't just a buzzword; it's an ongoing practice. Diverse hiring practices are incredibly important for understanding your business and getting different perspectives on problems. Building a team of people from similar backgrounds won't yield creative solutions or innovation. It's like the old saying goes—it's our differences that make us stronger. That being said, implicit bias is still a problem in the workplace, so it's important, especially in a role of authority, to continue a practice of diversity well after the hiring process.
Establish Responsibility
While most employees want the opportunity to grow in their position, setting specifications for that growth when it arises is vital. No one likes mushy expectations. Setting clear duties and chains of communication help give team members a predictable work environment. This is when the real magic can happen!
Communicate
Open channels of communication between you and your team. If an employee has a problem with a project but feels bringing it up to you, or another team member isn't an option, the project will suffer. Effective communication is only possible by practicing emotional intelligence. Often, people think of emotional intelligence as beyond the bounds of the workplace, but emotional intelligence in this context takes into account the entire person. Are you and your employees practicing active listening? Are you maintaining eye contact, attentive and non-judgmental, giving space for the other person to explain themselves or ask questions?
