In reality, without a clearly defined leader to promote teamwork, teams can struggle to motivate themselves and ultimately fail. 

The role of a leader is to influence, engage, and guide their team towards a common goal. Many managers or leaders can sometimes struggle with which strategies to employ when it comes to influencing their team successfully. Oakwood have put together 5 easy methods leaders can use to boost team productivity, investment and overall satisfaction. And overall, encourage a positive team mindset in the workplace1

1. Decide on collaborative visions & targets

Every team needs visions and targets to work towards. These visions and targets underpin every process a team undertakes and so it’s incredibly important that everyone is clear on what they are. 

Bringing your team into the decision making process can help them get a better idea of the bigger picture as well as create an environment of shared responsibility. When your employees are invested and feel responsible for the outcomes of the team, everyone is far more likely to be productive and actively work together to achieve their goals. 

It is your responsibility then, as a leader, to maintain the focus of these visions and goals. Ensure your teams are staying on track, not getting sidelined and remind them of the bigger picture often so that they can work collaboratively and effectively.

2. Open & Honest Feedback and Communication

Good communication is critical to successful leadership and, by default, teamwork. Being open and honest in your feedback allows your teams to understand where improvement might need to be made in a way that is respectful and clear. 

Finding balance is also key when giving feedback. Try to always find a positive to balance with the negative. This helps your employees understand that you appreciate the work they’re doing while also being clear on what needs to be done next. 

Not only is open and honest feedback essential for team satisfaction but how you communicate also sets a precedent for your employees. When they see how their leader communicates, they are likely to follow suit. 

3. Show a little empathy

Empathy is an essential skill for any leader to have. Recognising your team members individual needs can encourage a stronger team overall. It doesn’t have to be a huge gesture but even the ability to check in and ask ‘is everything ok?’ can go a long way in building strong employee relations. This seemingly small action shows your team that you are open to listening, respect their emotions and have their backs. In turn, they’re likely to have your back as a leader. 

4. Celebrate teamwork successes

Celebrating individual or group successes within a team can be an excellent way of promoting positivity in the workplace and nurturing stronger teamwork. Recognising and rewarding hard work encourages a sense of unity amongst teams. 

When your team feels appreciated, they are likely to exhibit more of the behaviour that was rewarded. So make sure you are celebrating team successes often even if it’s as simple as thanking them for their hard work. 

5. Find and provide suitable resources & training for teamwork

It goes without saying that it’s important to give your employees the tools they need to succeed. When you put the time and effort into improving the people in your business, they will feel satisfied, confident and appreciated in their role. These are all excellent ways to increase team productivity, benefiting not just them but allowing the company to flourish as a whole.

In short, developing your employees skills and providing opportunities for them to grow professionally ensures a team of quality individuals working towards the organisations shared goals. 

In conclusion

Ultimately, when it comes to building a thriving team, good leadership is nearly always at the forefront. Leadership skills might not come easily to everyone but they can certainly be learned and developed with the right resources and time. 

Influencing and engaging your team might be the main role of a leader but these can only be achieved through respect, listening, clear communication and investing in your employees. Implementing the above methods are an excellent foundation for building long-lasting leadership practices. 

If you’d like to take your own skills a step further or are looking to boost your teams skills and productivity, ask Oakwood about our in-house professional training options for leadership & management. Talk to us here.