Heidi,
Having individual meetings, whether formal or informal, is a good strategy to keep team members on target as you suggest. Especially with a new team, letting them go too long without feedback usually leads to frustration for both the employee and the manager. Providing instant feedback and praise at regular intervals during a project will increase engagement and loyalty.
Well done.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Jennifer,
Establishing meeting norms is a good strategy to enable each person to voice concerns and play an active role while still ensuring that deadlines are met. Determine the order of the meetings and set time limits for everybody to state their position, as well as time limits for discussion on each item. This lets everybody know what to expect. Consistency makes team members more comfortable and they will engage at a deeper level.
Dr. Jamie Morley
that is a good idea allowing the staff to brag about what they accomplished. We do it in the schools but alot of times in the workforce we forget to acknowledge our accomplishments which is positive reinforcement
giving individual assignments is a good way to make sure that everyone gets the job done some people are better at one think that someone else and using everyones strengths helps accomplish the goal.
Cindy,
You are right! I don’t know why we feel comfortable giving praise to students and not employees sometimes. Smart organizations are “learning organizations†which makes all employees a student as well!
Dr. Jamie Morley
Taryn,
Great idea! Another benefit of subgroups is that is allows more people to assume leadership roles. It also enables participants to join a group that especially interests them. Often, this leads to higher engagement and productivity.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Cindy,
In my last post to you I mentioned the management theory discussed in the book "Flight of the Buffalo." Incorporating that leadership philosophy and considering your comments, what are some ways to ensure the success of the group if the person you give the assignment to does not perform?
I look forward to your thoughts.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Some strategies to ensure that every team member is actively engaged and productive are: encourage collaborative work, recruit team members, recognize the skills of individual members and integrate newcomers.
Some strategies to ensure that every team member is actively engaged and productive are: encourage collaborative work, recruit team members, recognize the skills of individual members and integrate newcomers.
Lynn,
Rotating responsibilities is a great way to keep people engaged and productive, while also building and diversifying their skill level. One of my favorite books is called “Flight of the Buffalo.†The book compares the leadership strategies of Buffalo and Geese. Buffalo herds have one leader and when the herd is in danger the buffalos surround the leader. Unfortunately, if the leader gets killed, the herd scatters and is decimated because none of the other buffalo were ever trained to be the leader. Geese fly in a V formation. Every goose is taught how to be at the front of the V and lead the flock. If the leader is hurt, injured, or tired, another goose takes the lead role. Organizations are very similar. The best managers and leaders should always be “training their replacement†as opposed to guarding information. Those are the teams that people want to be involoved with.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Giving constant feedback to the manager regarding their projects is one way to start.
Stephanie,
Great insights! You can never over communicate. Knowing your audience is another clue to how and how much communication is necessary. Encouraging the use of task lists or a formal system like MS Project, can also help to move a project along. It is helpful when the employee and manager have the ability to input and review information about a project independently or together.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Definitely create an assignment and due dates and follow up with the completion of the assignment. Take one project and divide it equally among everyone and encourage each person to do their part well and discuss the final result, while emphasizing how each person made the whole project a success.
Lisa ,
You make several good points. Teams are more likely engaged when they have a vested interest in an assignment or outcome. Sharing responsibilities and then managing each member to success will encourage each team member to do their best. A strong manager will keep all team members informed about the progress, provide realistic due dates and assignments based on people’s aptitudes, and coach and praise as appropriate.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Taking the time to check in with them on their progress between meetings, and encouraging them to bring all ideas to the table.
Janet,
Taking the opportunity to make the most of informal meetings and interactions is so important. Having an open door policy may sound cliché, but it is a sign of a transparent culture, which employees need to feel comfortable.
Dr. Jamie Morley
To increase team engagement, I ask each team member specific quetions during the conversation. It it sometimes difficult during a discussion with several members to ensure everyone has the opportunity to express their opinions, but it is vital to the health of the team and the process.
Look for the value in even the smallest contribution or effort by every team member and publicly acknowledge the benefit of that effort or contribution to the overall process. Team members' efforts and contributions will increase as their perception of their own worth increases.
Sheila,
This is a good strategy. You may want to rotate the responsibility of memorializing the answers to the questions to a different person every meeting. This will not only capture the questions and answers, but also make sure that people are paying attention, beyond when they answer their question.
Dr. Jamie Morley
Scott,
You are correct, William! Encouragement is essential. Too often, team leaders do not have the authority to give awards, bonuses, or monetary incentives, so praise is a great way to keep your team motivated. Many team members also appreciate being given additional assignments or responsibility. This doesn’t motivate everybody, so the leader should know their team before determining if a stretch assignment is a motivator.
Dr. Jamie Morley
