Though it’s just one of the many duties managers have, ensuring their teams are healthy, strong and efficient is perhaps one of the most important. Strong teams are able to work together effectively to solve problems and brainstorm creative ideas. They can tackle any problem that comes their way, and they are able to strive for greatness without succumbing to burnout.
But no team becomes this way by accident. A strong team requires a strong manager to lead it. To that end, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council discuss eight steps managers should be taking on a regular basis to ensure their teams are healthy, strong and efficient—as well as how these steps will help them work together better in the long run.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Actively Look For New Ways To Develop And Enrich Them
As a manager and business owner, you must encourage the growth of your team. Your employees need to know that you care about their personal development and best interests and that you support their goals and dreams. This means you should always be looking for ways to develop and enrich your team. In addition to encouraging your employees, you can also motivate them with positive feedback for good work or increased productivity. However, you should also provide constructive criticism, as this will help them to evaluate the skills they have acquired and the experience they have gained. – Maksym Babych, SpdLoad
2. Schedule Regular One-On-One Meetings
In addition to regular team meetings, it’s important for managers to schedule frequent one-on-ones to touch base with individual team members. Like spokes on a wheel or links in a chain, each individual needs to be strong in order for the larger entity to be strong. Every colleague needs to feel heard, valued, respected and supported. Taking the time to understand each individual’s unique contributions and challenges helps managers empower their team members, which ultimately gives way to empowered teams. Regular one-on-one meetings also strengthen relationships between managers and their employees in a way that cannot be achieved in a group setting. – Samuel Saxton, ConsumerRating.org
3. Plan Frequent Team-Bonding Activities
Team-bonding activities can be as simple as a monthly happy hour or an annual company retreat. These activities help to foster a sense of camaraderie and team spirit, which can make employees feel more connected to one another and to the company. Additionally, bonding activities can serve as a reminder that the company values its employees and their well-being. These activities not only make employees feel appreciated, but they can also improve employee motivation, creativity and teamwork, which will result in increased overall productivity for the company. – Andrew Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings
4. Encourage Time Off And Breaks
Burnout is a condition that affects both mental and physical health. It’s an intense feeling of exhaustion and tension that can affect the person’s ability to function at work. Not only can it negatively affect performance, but it can also lead to a loss in productivity, absenteeism and even mental health issues. This may be because employees who suffer from burnout are more prone to poor performance and are at risk of developing mental health problems. Managers should make sure their employees aren’t susceptible to burnout by making them take breaks when needed or offering support if they’re struggling with job stressors. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
5. Offer Sincere Compliments And Display Genuine Interest
Managers should encourage employees with sincere compliments and politely inquire about hobbies or interests not related to work. Positive reinforcement can make a huge difference. Always stay on top of projects, but people like reminders that they are not cogs in a machine. Do not be insincere; people will know when you are making up compliments or buttering them up for morale. When you balance that sincerity with reviewing workloads and projects, people become more honest about their limitations and desires to improve. Follow your HR handbook regarding socialization to stay within respectful boundaries. Mind people’s comfort levels, and ensure they are happy at work. – Duran Inci, Optimum7
6. Organize Fun Fitness Competitions
As a manager, one thing I do to ensure my teams are healthy, strong and efficient is organize regular fitness competitions. This promotes physical well-being, team building and friendly competition among team members. It helps them to bond, work together and develop a sense of camaraderie, which in turn improves their ability to work together effectively in the long run. By making fitness a regular part of the team’s routine, it also helps to increase energy levels and productivity, leading to a more efficient and successful team. Overall, promoting fitness and healthy habits within the team not only benefits the team members’ physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being and helps them to work better together. – Abhijeet Kaldate, Astra WordPress Theme
7. Recognize Their Contributions To The Company
Giving credit and recognition to team members for their contributions is like shining a spotlight on their hard work and dedication. It’s a way to acknowledge their effort and time in making the team and the company successful. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that can boost team morale and motivation. Recognizing team members for their contributions can be done in various ways, from a simple thank-you note to a formal recognition program. It’s a way to show them that their work is valued and appreciated, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, retention and overall team performance. Giving credit and recognition is essential to being a good manager; it’s like planting the seed of success that will continue to flourish with time. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
8. Maintain A Supportive And Open Team Culture
Managers should make an effort to create a supportive and open culture for their teams. This means being available to listen and address any concerns, providing feedback regularly, setting clear expectations and deadlines, offering support when needed and recognizing progress along the way. Doing this helps foster an environment of trust and respect among team members, enabling them to communicate openly with each other about tasks at hand and work together more effectively in the long run. Regularly checking in with individual team members also allows managers to identify problems or issues before they become major roadblocks that can slow down productivity. – Adam Preiser, WPCrafter
