Building a more connected team is critical to success in today’s business world. A connected team can share information and ideas quickly, work together as a cohesive unit, and make better decisions, helping the organization reach its goals.
However, with the emergence of remote and hybrid workforces, cultivating truly connected teams is more complex than ever.
Fortunately, there are several ways managers can encourage their teams to work together effectively, regardless of location or working style, and here are some of them.
- Encourage Communication and Collaboration
A connected team relies on strong communication and collaboration to thrive. As a manager, you can facilitate connection by implementing good communication practices throughout the organization.
Ideally, provide a clear framework and tools for your team to use when discussing topics and encourage open feedback. Some helpful tools you can rely on for employee engagement include remote meeting software and online messaging platforms, such as Slack or Skype.
Open communication allows team members to share their concerns, discuss challenges, and make timely decisions. In addition, employees who communicate well with their co-workers are more likely to trust each other, promoting a stronger team dynamic.
- Celebrate Team Wins Together
Celebrating victories as a team is a great way to build a sense of camaraderie within the group. It also boosts employee morale and encourages your staff to work together toward a common goal.
When an employee wins an award or gets a promotion, hold an office party to celebrate together and reward the individual for their hard work. In addition to celebrating individual successes, be sure to recognize the contributions of your entire team during special events, like the annual holiday party.
- Organize Team Building Activities
Aside from celebrating accomplishments together, you can also organize team-building activities to foster teamwork within your organization. Particularly, look for activities that allow you to share and learn as a group while also enhancing creative thinking.
Some examples of fun activities you could try include board games, learning a new skill or craft, and volunteering at a local charity or non-profit organization. It would help if you organized these events at least monthly so employees get to know each other better.
- Implement a Peer-to-Peer Recognition System
A peer-to-peer recognition system encourages employees to recognize their co-workers’ achievements and appreciate their efforts. This is a particularly effective strategy for building morale among team members who may feel underappreciated.
Comprehensive rewards and recognition programs can also increase transparency, strengthen employee relationships, and lower employee turnover.
An ideal place to start when building a peer-to-peer recognition system is using an online performance management platform, such as Mo, to track employee goals. Such platforms also provide employers and team managers with a user-friendly way to identify top performers and reward them accordingly.
- Empower Your Team
Today’s leadership is built not just on authority but on the ability to motivate and empower others to succeed. To develop a cohesive team, you need to foster a culture that allows your employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
An excellent place to start empowering your team is by creating a clear set of goals and guidelines that outline what you expect from each employee. You should also give your team the tools and resources needed to get the job done.
- Clearly Define the Company’s Values
Employees who understand your company’s values are more likely to work collaboratively to achieve common goals. That’s why it’s essential to clearly define your company’s core values and communicate them to your employees regularly.
You can communicate your organization’s core values to your team in several ways. This includes employee handbooks, workplace training programs, and company newsletters.
Most importantly, hire employees who share the same values and reinforce them throughout the hiring process. That way, you’ll be more likely to build a strong team aligned with your goals and objectives.
