You glance around the conference room at your coworkers before confidently raising your hand. You have a great idea, and you know that you will feel heard and encouraged for actively participating in your company’s success. There was a time, when you were on a different team, when you would leave the office feeling defeated and unimportant. Finding a team that knows how to work together and value its members has been life-changing.
How does your organization define success? Your company is only as effective as the people it employs. Having a shared goal, a common vision, and the ability to openly discuss difficult topics will not only foster a healthier work environment but will increase the productivity and profitability of your entire company. A successful business is built on these five common behaviors.
Trust
Trust is the foundation on which a successful team is built. When employees know they can rely on their teammates for collaboration, voice their unique insights, and work in a high-energy environment, they will be more actively engaged. Organizations that emphasize the importance of trust in the workplace will see greater productivity and loyalty from their employees because team members know that the same level of trust is extended to them to do their jobs.
Starting now: Incorporate your organization’s core values into team meetings, office decor, and applicable challenges that arise. Discuss the importance of trust with your team and create a safe space for your team members to share their ideas.
Conflict
Productive conflict – such as healthy debates, tough questions, or the lack of clarity around goals – helps teams grow by giving them the opportunity to fall back on the established shared values and work collaboratively to find a solution. A team built on trust will encourage team members to share their perspectives and decide on a solution to move forward with together.
Starting now: Create opportunities for social connection and team bonding activities, such as monthly challenges and fun workplace competitions. When a problem arises on the job, use it as an opportunity to facilitate teamwork.
Commitment
A team of people who trust each other and can productively solve conflicts encourages commitment and collective buy-in. Your employees don’t want to feel like a number, or like they are just punching the clock every day. By giving them the opportunity to be a part of a collective whole that is bigger than any one individual, you will reduce the amount of employee turnover and attract the right talent to your team.
Starting now: Ask your team for feedback and listen to what they say. Gain deeper insight into what professional goals your employees are working towards and help facilitate that growth through training modules and resources. Keep your team focused on the important impact your organization has on those you serve.
Accountability
Every member of your team has their own strengths and their own opportunities for growth. When your organization shows that it cares about the personal and professional growth of each individual and your team members trust one another, you will better be able to positively provide constructive criticism.
Starting now: Make notes about each employee’s strengths and in what ways they could grow. Ask employees to self-reflect on their own areas of improvement. In many cases, people already know what areas they want to improve in, and they will be more internally motivated when they decide to take the initiative.
Results
Cohesive teams not only work together towards a common goal, but they also routinely take the time to celebrate their successes. Acknowledging collective wins strengthens team bonds, helps employees feel appreciated, and encourages everyone to stay motivated.
Starting now: Make sure your organization’s goals and success metrics are clearly defined, and each team member knows their role in reaching those results. Reward results-driven action that you see on your team.
Fostering the 5 Behaviors
The 5 behaviors of a winning team are built on the foundation of trust, and each behavior is important for creating a high-performing and collaborative team. At Trinity Training & Development, we offer tailored strategies and online leadership training to help organizations implement these behaviors and achieve lasting success. Contact us today to learn more about our training.