Being a leader will require you to work in a team, but being on a team isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels easier to just go ahead and just take over just to get things done… but actually this is not a great habit to get into. It can lead to you becoming a micro-manager and experiencing extra stress in the long run and burnout. Sometimes teamwork becomes hard because the team isn’t motivated or engaged, and sometimes it can just simply be down to disorganization. Moorelands wants you to succeed as a leader, especially in teamwork. Here are 6 ways to get your team to pull together and for you to stop doing all the work yourself.
1. DECIDE AND PLAN
Moorelands Kids HQ’s appear throughout life. When you want to get your team to pull together, to decide and plan is your most crucial step!
Deciding and planning includes finding the direction of the project, the goal, assigning tasks and considering the benefits and disadvantages. This does not happen alone! Make sure that everyone on the team is aware of and participating in the planning process.
If people seem like they are not really interested or bothered in taking part then you can try motivating them by giving them tasks that suit their interests. But the most important thing is that everyone takes ownership of the plan and commits to it.
2. BOUNDARIES
Every person, group, and environment requires boundaries. To get your team to pull together, you need to set limits!
Make it clear to your team what you can do and what you won’t do, and encourage others to do the same. This helps the team engage in a healthy manner, and the work can be done in an efficient and respectful way.
Resist over-stepping boundaries. If it feels like someone isn’t doing their share of the work, start with a conversation about where they’re at and how they’re feeling about meeting the deadline. Gently remind them what’s been agreed to and see if they need support from the group rather than jumping in and telling them off or taking over.
3. RESPECT YOURSELF
Throughout the process of getting your team to pull together, you need to respect yourself. Enforce the boundaries you set and treat yourself the way you want the team to treat you.
Part of Moorelands HQ’s is citizenship, taking care of yourself inside and out. As a leader (someone with influence), you need to show the group how they should be setting the standard and executing the expectations for the team.
4. LOOK FOR STRENGTHS IN YOUR TEAM MEMBERS
When you try and get your team to pull together, you should look for the strengths of your team members.
Everyone can do their part best and with their best effort when it is encouraged. Take time to praise people and encourage them by calling out great work or effort when you see it in a genuine way. Be careful not to come across as patronizing by overpraising minimum effort. But giving praise when it is worthy is positive reinforcement and increases the productivity of the team… and steers you away from doing everything!
5. COMMUNICATE TO THE TEAM
Communicating is not just a part of working on a team, but it is a huge part of life!
Forbes writes about workplace communication, which translates to all teams we are part of! Using communication to pull your team together means sharing your perspective on the team/team efficiency. It doesn’t end there though, you need to also be open to receiving feedback and hearing other perspectives/opinions.
6. PULL YOUR TEAM, DON’T PUSH THEM
As a leader, your team can start pulling together to be more positive and efficient when you’re bringing them with you toward growth!
To push means to force tasks and responsibilities, whereas pull is empowering and encouraging team members in their roles. When you pull the team in a direction of growth, you’re paving the way for many more successes in the future.
In the process of pulling your team together, make sure you follow the No D’s of Moorelands Kids: don’t demean, diminish and disrespect your team members (or yourself). Your team is a community that you get to be part of. To get the team to pull together, the environment should be safe enough to do that!
by Angel Persaud
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