Blog Stuck On You

How do you get your employees to work together as a team? This is a question that many managers are asking. The bottom line for managers is getting the results needed, and if employees would work as a team instead individually, getting the results would be much easier.

One of the most effective ways to do this is to create a working environment where your employees see themselves as part of a team and you as a manager as the coach of the team. The traditional model of supervisor and subordinates does not create a willingness in employees to take ownership of their responsibility, and become motivated to put more than minimal effort into their work. The team building model, however, when effectively implemented, can produce better results, and increase participation and cooperation among the employees.

The manager has a essential part in creating a sense of team, and the approach taken is a critical factor for success. A successful model of team building can be seen in sports.

Let us explore some of the team building skills of a sports coach, and how they can be successfully applied to a workplace supervisory position

Every sports team has a coach. The role of the coach is to strategically position the players, train and coach them, and motivate them towards becoming a champion team. There are many useful analogies between a sports and a work team.

The more managers consider themselves as a coach to their team, the more the team will respond positively to their leadership.

Set goals

Planning and setting goals is an important aspect of supervisory success. Does your team know what the short mid term and long term goals are for the team? Are the goals realistic, and communicated well? Does the team have a sense of purpose and direction?

Relationship Building

Managers need to be able to build a good relationship, not only with the team as a while, but also with individuals on the team. Relationship builds an essential team building block - that of trust. Trust is vitally important for encouraging cooperation and for motivation

Being a role model
Managers need to be a positive example of what they want to see in the team. That means walking the talk, and having
high standards and consistent expectations of themselves as well as the team.

Offer Training

Coaches make the necessary training available to equip their team to perform its responsibilities. Successful coaches look to expand individual team member’s skills and groom them for advancement.

Have High Expectations

Having high, but realistic expectations creates winning teams. Studies show that people perform to meet expectations. Successful coaches keep the bar high to get the best results from the team.

Be a Team Player

A coach doesn’t just manage the team but becomes part of the team. Don’t ask a team member to do something that you would be unwilling to do yourself.

Many managers do not realize that they are the greatest influence on their employee’s job satisfaction. Not only do they have the authority to make decisions that directly impact individual employees, but they create the working environment and atmosphere by the way they lead the team. Developing team building skills through coaching employees will bring the results you need.

Tags: Business, Management & Administration