Many executives and bosses want their teams to improve.
Yet, many of us sound like a critical parent when we talk about and to our teams.
You cannot build a strong team that produces amazing results by focusing on weaknesses!
When you speak positively about your teams, you encourage better results.
When you encourage your teams to stand up and brag, they will exceed your expectations.
If You Want to Improve Your Team’s Results, Change Your Approach
Speak positively about others. Set aside your biases to help your team members excel and improve! Focus on one or two specific things a person did well and let them know (too many will sound insincere). For example, I had a difficult employee who was prickly to work with. Yet, she could find a penny when reconciling invoices and billings. When I acknowledged her and others, she became easier to work with. I did need to remind her from time-to-time, that while accuracy was important, she needed to be careful to not overdo it.
Use a laser-approach for how-to-do-it coaching. Take time to outline your expectations and specific requirements when assigning projects to the right person. But, don’t micromanage them. For example, I had a team member who wanted to excel but feared her co-workers would make fun of her for wanting to become a manager. I gave her a project and outlined the basics. She excelled at putting together the project and addressing the details. After I complimented her on a great job, together we addressed specific details for her to address further. She overcame her fears of what others thought and today she is working in a management position.
Acknowledge and support frustrations and upsets, instead of criticizing your team. Breakdowns are inevitable, but, team members don’t need rescuing or fixing. (Stay away from engaging in no-win emotional drama, finger-pointing, and gossip.) Treat them as successful adults. Listen to their initial concerns and frustrations and focus on the facts, not the emotions. Ask…what is factually working? Then, what is factually not working? Acknowledge the person’s efforts before asking how they would resolve the issue. Then, fine-tune.
Did you know job fit is the #1 reason people naturally excel? But, only if you get out of the way! According to Harvard Business Review, job fit is the #1 reason teams and individuals excel. Using the right scientifically validated tools for selection and promotion ensures fit with job responsibilities. This encourages people to improve team and communication efforts. Use the coaching report (from the assessment) to become “laser-like” and get out of the way for your team’s success.
Offer spot-on training. Everyone started their jobs not knowing how to do them. Instead of labeling team members as smart or not-so-smart, offer on-the-spot training. Remember, team members need and want to improve. But, your team members do not all learn in the same way. Some are auditory learners…provide podcasts. Some are more visual learners…provide videos. Some enjoy human interactions or hands-on experiences…provide workshops and training programs. However, the best way to develop soft skills is to mix it up when conducting face-to-face training, live webinars, and coaching.
©Jeannette Seibly, 2019
Jeannette Seibly is an award-winning champion for people and results. For the past 27 years, she has guided bosses and teams to excel. Want to improve how you engage your teams for results? Contact Jeannette today for straight talk with dynamic results.
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