Running a team is all about keeping a number of balls in the air at any given time and, many team leaders find that their operation is less of a well-oiled machine and more of a wheezy old clunker. We’ll let you into a secret – it’s all about the engine. In order to work effectively, a team needs great leadership but, with the best will in the world, keeping staff motivated can be akin to trying to nail jelly to the wall. In this article, we’re taking you for an MOT on ways to motivate your staff.
The Role of Team Leader
If the team is a vehicle, then the Team Leader is the driver. This role can be a complex one and is as much about psychology as it is action.
It’s the Team Leader’s job to make sure that everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing – and when they’re supposed to be doing it, but that’s not all. It’s also up to the fearless leader to keep staff pumped up and invested in their work and this is where things get tricky; particularly within a really busy department.
How To Motivate Your Staff
As we’ve mentioned, team leader and staff supervisor skills aren’t just about barking orders and hoping for the best, it’s getting the best out of your people through great leadership, including motivation – and here’s how it’s done:
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Painting the big picture
One of the biggest mistakes that managers make is focusing on the task in hand without context. Motivating your staff begins with explaining to them why they’re doing what they’re doing – and this means sharing with them the goals and vision of the overall project; not just their part in it. By doing this, you allow your team to picture the end result (and make them feel part of the overall project, not just a cog in the machine).
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A map to show them the way
Great communication leads to great results – however big or small the project. So, what does that look like? It’s about defined goals and clear roadmaps that show staff how to get where they’re going in short, manageable chunks. This is always much more effective than chucking the whole project at them and leaving them to it.
Also, when instructions are vague or rushed, this can knock the confidence of your staff as they may be overly cautious about forging ahead. As Team Leader, a big part of your job is to ensure that each and every person has the tools and the guidance to do what it is that you’re expecting of them.
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Empathy and empowerment
Every great Team Leader knows that their people are their most valuable asset – and that you need to nurture them if you want them to grow. People learn and work at different speeds and skill levels and this very much needs to be taken into account. A good leader is one who takes the time to get to know each and every member, including their strengths and weaknesses and then takes appropriate action.
An example might be that of someone who has less experience than others – in which case a Team Leader may need to offer extra guidance or even training to get them up to speed. A forward-thinking manager also understands the value of empowering their team through autonomy as this will almost always make employees feel more invested in the project and in the company as a whole.
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Give them a big hand
Imagine if a pop star played the final notes of a big concert and the audience simply turned and filed silently out of the venue. While some may argue that people shouldn’t expect praise for just doing their job, many others beg to differ. By recognising great work and commitment and rewarding this, you’re buying an insurance policy for the same standard of work in the future.
Recognising the efforts of your people doesn’t have to mean showering them with gifts or yelling “Great job!” every time they complete a task. It’s more about making sure that your staff feel valued by giving positive feedback and acknowledging outstanding work.
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Lead by example
Picture the scene – you’ve given your people a deadline and, while they have their noses to the grindstone, you’re busy doing your online shop or catching up with your pals on Facebook. Few things de-motivate staff more quickly than seeing their boss unwilling to muck in and help. There’s an old saying that a good manager should never ask somebody to do something that they wouldn’t be willing to do themselves. And this is an adage that should be taken to heart.
Get into the habit of checking in with team members to see if they could use some help – and don’t be shy about rolling up your sleeves and assisting when necessary. When your people see that you’re prepared to do whatever it takes, there’s a good chance that they’ll adopt the same mindset. This also helps to get rid of the “us and them” attitude which can be extremely damaging to teams. Team Leaders often benefit from bagging themselves a mentor as someone who’s been around the block a few times is perfectly placed to give you the benefit of their experience.
Full Speed Ahead
As you can see, success means paying attention to a number of different moving parts. A team is only as strong as its weakest link and, if that’s you, then Houston, we have a problem. Think of yourself as the captain of a ship where it’s your job to make sure that the crew is working together for plain sailing and a job well done.
By getting to know your people and offering guidance and encouragement, you give yourself every opportunity to become the best Team Leader that you can be. While experience matters, it’s also helpful to take a course on Communication and / or Team Leadership in order to supersize their skills and build the strongest possible team.