Do you remember your first experience as part of a team?
For me, it was the day I made it onto my high school basketball team. I can still recall the challenge I faced in understanding the famous quote on the gym wall.
“The ratio of We’s to I’s is the best indicator of the development of a team.”
-Lewis B Ergen
Little did I know, building effective and long-lasting teams would surpass this challenge by huge margins.
Team building is not a one-day job; it requires consistent effort, the ability to understand people, manage egos, and a whole lot of patience.
I’ve been fortunate to work with managers possessing some or all of these qualities, but my most valuable lessons came from leading and building such successful teams.
From bringing graphic designers and content writers with unique viewpoints together to collaborating with remote voice artists, I’ve gathered some pretty valuable strategies over the years.
In this article, I’ll draw from my experiences to share some actionable tips on building effective and enduring teams in the workplace.
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Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
11 tips and strategies to build high-performing strong teams
1. Welcome aboard, Buddy!
Starting on the right foot with new team members is the first step in building effective and lasting teams. Sending a warm welcome message with a few lines of encouragement is a good start, but it can only take them so far.
Adapting to a new environment can be challenging for anyone. Here at ProofHub, we implement the buddy system to ease this transition. The buddy, or mentor, plays a crucial role in helping new team members, not only with work-related questions but also in integrating them into our team dynamics and company culture.
Whether it’s guidance on team communication, navigating unwritten rules, or even discovering the best local lunch spots, your buddy is always there to support you.
You’d be surprised how much this approach can shorten the learning curve and make the onboarding experience smooth.
2. Embrace diversity the right way
To build an effective team with strong team dynamics, embracing diversity without any room for discrimination is essential.
You don’t need to go as far as Michael Scott from ‘The Office’ by sticking race and nationality cards on foreheads to celebrate Diversity Day.
Instead, take a more genuine approach.
Get to know your team members in a friendly and humble way. Encourage open conversations that promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds. Implement clear policies that foster inclusivity and ensure that every team member can thrive in their unique way.
By creating a collaborative work environment that values diversity, you’re not just building a stronger team, but also a more vibrant and innovative one.
Here at ProofHub, we take this commitment seriously. All our teams celebrate diversity by conducting weekly potluck lunches or retreats, where team members bring a signature dish from their culture.
These events not only introduce everyone to new flavors but also create opportunities for genuine conversations and a deeper appreciation of our diverse backgrounds.
3. Practice mindful leadership
To effectively lead a team, your leadership style must resonate with your team members. Embracing mindful leadership is the initial step towards establishing collaborative work relationships and nurturing teams with improved overall work performance.
To build a truly successful and long-lasting team, it’s essential to remember that your team members are unique individuals with their own stories, experiences, and aspirations.
While at work, they form part of your team, but outside of work, they have rich and varied lives. Recognizing and respecting their individuality is a fundamental building block for a thriving environment.
When team members feel valued for their unique gifts and contributions, they are more likely to invest themselves fully in the collective goals of the team.
This will help you to understand them and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Being aware of the skills and talents of your team members gives you clarity about who is fit for which position.
4. Be Specific about roles & responsibilities
Remember your first day at a new job?
The feeling of stepping into a world of unknowns, with its unique culture, people, and expectations. It’s a crucial moment for any new team member, and as a leader, you have the power to shape their experience from day one.
Moreover, every team member is dependent on the other one for getting his work done. For instance, the marketing team cannot do anything without the content team.
And till the time the marketing team doesn’t provide keywords to the content team, the latter cannot work. The whole idea is to allocate tasks in a way that the whole team can work with each other as a united force.
5. Build strong relationships
A team is as strong as its weakest link, and trust is the cornerstone of a high-performing team. Finding team members you trust is important in working toward the shared goals of your business.
Teams, like any aspect of business, will face challenges and changes. It is, therefore, important to create a strong sense of relationship among your team members to navigate the tough time.
In my experience, striking the perfect balance between competitiveness and reliability among team members is the key to success.
I organize friendly competitions within the teams, such as achieving sales targets or solving complex problems. These competitions can foster innovation and elevate performance.
Also, relying on your team members to achieve something, even for fun, can create a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.
When team members strive to outperform each other constructively, it can lead to higher levels of innovation and productivity. However, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries to prevent competition from turning into cutthroat rivalry.
6. Team building activities
To build truly exceptional teams, and not just the efficient ones, it is important to engage with them on levels beyond the work. This is where fun activities and team-building exercises come into play.
They provide an opportunity for team members to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. By breaking down barriers and encouraging open interaction, these activities pave the way for a more cohesive and efficient team.
At ProofHub, we have a diverse range of team-building activities to cater to different interests and preferences. Every month, the HR department conducts an activity day where team members not only have fun but also learn to trust and rely on each other, ultimately leading to a more efficient and high-performing team.
But this is not just limited to office settings. Team members also get engaged in social activities outside the office. From marathons to virtual yoga sessions with remote team members, we’ve created an environment where distance is no longer a barrier to bonding.
By prioritizing team bonding through engaging activities, organizations can elevate their teams to new heights of success and achievement.
7. Leveraging technology to strengthen the bond
The power of technology isn’t just about optimizing work processes; it’s about creating a virtual space where team members can connect, collaborate, and share more than just work.
Today’s workforce includes Gen Z and millennials, who are inherently tech-savvy. Born and raised in the digital age, they bring a fresh perspective to team dynamics. Instead of traditional face-to-face interactions, these generations often find bonding over technology to be more natural and convenient.
Additionally, traditional office setup has given way to more flexible working arrangements, with a significant portion of the workforce opting for hybrid or remote models.
This is where project management and team collaboration tools can help you save the day. But it takes more than just assigning tasks, having one-to-one meetings, and formal celebrations to bring teams together.
At ProofHub, we’ve recognized the potential of technology in strengthening team bonds. We utilize these platforms to facilitate a wide range of personal team bonding activities. Our teams engage in virtual coffee breaks, online gaming sessions, and hobby clubs where members share their interests and experiences.
8. Communicate with open feedback
Feedback is a powerful communication mode that helps you communicate the appreciation and shortcomings of your teammates.
Create a flexible system of giving feedback that makes them feel that are authenticated and also leaves an impact on them. But make sure you are proactive when it comes to providing feedback to your employees.
When you give constructive criticism to your employees then they cannot deny it.
At times, when sharing feedback directly isn’t possible as in the case of remote teams then a technological platform can help you out. ProofHub is a great tool for managing teams and working in modern hybrid conditions. For instance, to provide feedback on the creative assets, you can use the in-built proofing feature of ProofHub to specifically highlight the changes.
Also, in some cases, it is not directly suitable to share the feedback as it may not be perceived constructively by the employee. Using a technological platform to manage work and share feedback with employees in a cultured and accountable manner.
9. Shower Rewards
Human beings love to be acknowledged, respected, and appreciated. So, providing only feedback to your employees isn’t enough to sustain them for a longer time in your company.
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for motivating team members. Instead of dwelling on mistakes or shortcomings, effective leaders focus on the positives. They highlight events and behaviors that they particularly appreciate and encourage team members to replicate them.
Whether it’s financial bonuses, extra responsibilities, or opportunities to make important decisions, finding ways to reward and recognize your team members’ contributions is essential to build long-lasting and high-performing teams.
10. Constant learning and growth
Building a successful and enduring team is not just about the present; it’s about the future. Encourage a culture of continuous learning and development within your team. Provide opportunities for skill enhancement, whether through training programs, workshops, or mentorship.
Here at ProofHub, we conduct several learning and skill enhancement programs that not only empower our team members to excel in their roles but also allow them to showcase their unique skills and interests.
When team members see that you are invested in their growth and career development, they are more likely to remain committed to the team and contribute to its long-term success.
11. Celebrating milestones and achievements
Building a long-lasting team isn’t just about focusing on future goals; it’s also about celebrating the journey. Recognize and celebrate both small and significant milestones and achievements.
Celebrations create a sense of unity and pride within the team. They remind team members of their collective accomplishments and motivate them to continue working together toward future success.
We use our in-house tool, ProofHub, to celebrate our achievements with all our in-office, remote, and hybrid team members. And it’s not just a Hurray! or job well done! Team members go all out using GIFs and emojis to express their happiness.
Conclusion
Whether you are heading a large team or a group of 3-4 individuals, you must put in your 100% effort to lead them in the right direction. They must be able to contribute and grow in the right direction. Lead them in a way that they feel valued about their work and contribution to the organization.
