Team Productivity: Transform how your team operates almost overnight
Running a business is no easy feat, especially when it comes to managing teams. As an empire builder growing your professional services, coaching, consulting or thought leadership business, you likely find yourself getting sucked into day-to-day tasks and losing time supporting your team. You might have a successful business but it lacks ease and systemisation.
The good news is that with some simple adjustments to how you manage your people, you can boost productivity, effectiveness and enjoyment across your business.
In this article, we’ll explore 8 steps to help you transform how your team operates almost overnight. From clarifying priorities to scheduling regular check-ins, implementing these strategies will have your entire staff working cohesively towards your bigger vision and mission.
Let’s dive in!
What this post covers:
- The #1 thing you can do to get your team aligned and thrill to come to work each day.
- The briefing formula that has staff starting projects with confidence and clarity.
- Why pairing crystal clear instructions with context is essential for delegation success.
- The communication guidelines that eliminate confusion and keep everyone rowing in unison.
- The check-in framework for uncovering issues early before they boil over.
- The accountability strategy that fosters ownership without blame or shame.
- Why praise and recognition create an upward spiral towards peak performance.
- The keys to help your team work smarter, not harder while having more FUN!
- 8 simple people management tweaks that yield big results fast.
- How small shifts in the way you lead and communicate can transform team productivity overnight!
Listen now:
Include Your Team In The Big Picture Vision
The first critical step is communicating the big picture vision and mission to your team. Help them understand why the business exists, what impact you aim to create in the world, and how their specific role ladders up to achieving that vision.
When individual contributors see how their work matters and contributes value, they feel a deeper sense of meaning, commitment and motivation to perform.
Share progress towards goals during team meetings and message out company wins through your intranet or messaging app. The more you reinforce how everyone fits into the grand ambition, the more focused and productive your staff will be.
“When our whole team works better, ding, ding, ding, our business is more productive. Our business starts to meet its goals easier. We start to work smarter and not harder. We’re happier and things can start to get really fun.”
Provide Clear Briefs Outlining What & Why
Secondly, skilful briefing is essential for alignment. Far too often, business owners struggle with delegation because instructions are vague or incomplete.
Be clear in outlining precise expectations for each task or project, explaining desired outcomes in detail. Then have team members repeat back what they heard to confirm understanding before they embark.
Pairing crystal clear what instructions with why context is key. Link tasks directly to bigger priorities, goals and mission so staff grasp the importance behind requests.
“If we can manage Our people better, our whole team will work better.”
With thoughtful briefing, your team will start work feeling equipped, confident and committed.
Communicate Priorities & Timelines
Additionally, communicate company and departmental priorities clearly so staff can effectively manage workloads and expectations.
“Because you know what your concept is in your mind, but your team doesn’t. And we are all individual people. You’ll use a certain word. And it means one thing for you, it will mean a totally different thing for me.”
Provide guidelines around importance such as “our #1 priority is delivering 5-star client experiences – so customer queries get addressed before tackling new sales outreach”.
Share timelines for upcoming initiatives so your team understands the rhythm of projects and can schedule properly. For example, “the monthly newsletter needs completed by the 24th each month to allow for designer review prior to send date”.
Discuss Plans Of Attack Openly
Too often, employees waste time second-guessing or waiting when project plans seem unclear. Discuss possible approaches, options and processes openly so there’s less confusion moving initiatives forward.
Empower your staff to think critically and suggest ideas. Guide them if plans start veering off track, but encourage innovative solutions to keep momentum going.
Establish Clear Communication Guidelines
Additionally, disjointed communication channels kill productivity. Set clear guidelines around which tools to use for what purposes and where conversations happen.
Centralize communication instead of allowing fragmented discussions across multiple platforms. This saves critical time locating past context and decisions when questions arise.
Schedule Regular One-On-One Check-ins
Even with streamlined communication, issues can fall through the cracks if you don’t carve out dedicated time connecting with individuals. Schedule regular standing one-on-one meetings to uncover roadblocks early.
“If I’m sick and I’m the only one that has access to my inbox, I can’t look in there. No one else can see what I’ve been talking about. It’s on the task card. Anybody can find it.”
This provides a safe space for employees to share feedback and gives you insight to bolster support where needed. Prioritise listening during check-ins to foster trust and engagement.
Create Ownership Through Accountability Conversations
Additionally, balanced accountability talks reinforce responsibilities and ownership for outcomes. While these can feel uncomfortable in the moment, they pave the way for growth.
Discuss what went well and explore opportunities openly without blame. Progress requires self-analysis around how both parties can improve moving ahead.
Focus criticism on specific behaviours rather than the individual, and balance constructive feedback with recognition of wins.
Catch More Flies With Honey – Praise Positive Behaviour
Speaking of recognition, the final critical step is praise. Catch more flies with honey as the old saying goes! When you shine the spotlight on positive progress, you’ll get more of what you want.
“When we reinforce positive behaviour, more positive behaviour comes. When we focus on negative things, and that’s the majority of what we focus on, more negative things come, because that is what we’re highlighting, that is what we’re honing in on, and all we’re talking about is all the ways you’ve done it wrong.”
Celebrate and reward good work frequently. Recognise those going above and beyond through public shout outs, small gifts or privileges.
Reinforce behaviours you want repeated through authentic acknowledgment. Gratitude and validation go a long way in keeping your team engaged and performing at peak productivity.
The Bottom Line: Managing People Doesn’t Have to be Painful.
While every organisation faces growing pains, you can foster cohesion across your team through purpose, communication and support.
Implementing even a few of these people management best practices will yield noticeable improvements in alignment, effectiveness and job satisfaction. And the by-product of smart talent strategy? Your business will reach goals faster and more profitably.
Over to you
What strategies do you rely on to get the best from your team? What productivity roadblocks or people problems persist despite your best efforts? I’d love to hear what’s helped or hindered your growth journey!