An office is only as strong as its players. So it’s essential to focus on the team. When employees have high energy levels, clear focus and tons of motivation, work moves along, often demonstrating high quality and efficiency. Those are the qualities bosses want to see. This atmosphere doesn’t always happen on its own, however. It requires the right environment, encouragement and planning to establish a solid structure and setting.
Don’t settle for okay. Your employees have fantastic potential. If you’re looking to maintain your team’s performance, implement the following strategies.
1. Improve Communication
Staff members have to know what you and your clients need. Otherwise, they may miss the project’s goal, make inadvertent errors or leave out essential details, sending them back to the drawing board. When asked to rework the concept, teams may grow frustrated tackling something from scratch again. Too much of this over and over again wears on people, leaving them to limit their potential and enthusiasm.
Therefore, communication, above all else, remains vital to staff success. Work collaboratively to review an assignment’s objectives before beginning the work. Encourage project managers to check in with employees, asking if they have questions or have encountered problems. During these in-between reviews, provide appropriate feedback, changing things earlier than later. Of course, don’t forget to put forth the positive. Tell staff their strengths and successes.
2. Support Health and Wellness
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages companies to prioritize employee health, emphasizing that it plays a pivotal role in overall productivity. Although this area may seem quite personal, it seeps into the office often. Poor health and habits may lead to the additional sick leave request. These situations reduce office output, and when people have sniffles, they usually have less energy and focus.
Make health a part of the office culture by encouraging workers to focus on their mental and physical well-being and empowering them with the knowledge to help them support their body and energy levels. Encourage eating correctly and learning about the role heart and cognitive support supplements play in everyday wellness.
Furthermore, allow for time off for health screenings and medical care. Also, promote time for exercise. Give people brain breaks to walk around or socialize. In addition, foster a positive environment where people feel accepted.
3. Establish Clear Goals
How can people do better if they don’t know what to improve? How can they give their best when they don’t see their role on the team? You can help them progress by establishing yearly objectives. During annual reviews, have an open and honest conversation about their role and what you would like them to do to continue serving the team well.
This discussion doesn’t have to center around a fault. It could take a positive attribute and promote fostering it further. Ask people to take on a new and exciting role. Consider requesting people to enroll in continuing education classes or leadership training. Have people self-assess themselves and then work with managers to pick something to learn or develop over the next year.
4. Build Relationships
Employees who trust one another may lean on each other more, pushing each other to go further. Why is that? They aren’t scared to show faults. There is enough connection and closeness that people believe in each other and want to see the entire group get ahead.
Foster this atmosphere by setting aside time for team-building exercises. These times don’t have to be overly expensive or cheesy. They are opportunities for people to break from official work and spend time together. Forbes magazine recommends doing things regularly to see a benefit. It can be regular coffee breaks, group lunches or casual outings. Plan something fun and relaxed, such as an office movie night or evening drinks.
Encourage your team to do their best by laying the right foundations. Show them you care about their health and work, develop the right atmosphere and foster relationships.
