You may have a lot of exceptional talents in your company—but if those talents aren’t working harmoniously, you don’t truly have a team.
The good news is, there is much you can do to bring those talents together into something cohesive and effective. In fact, I’d argue that this is exactly what great leaders do.
So what steps can you take to build a more cohesive team? Let me make a few recommendations.
What Can Great Leaders Do to Build Stronger Teams?
Get involved. No one enjoys a micromanager, but people also dislike a leader who is detached and uninvolved. It’s important to engage with your employees, have one-on-one conversations with them, be present in every department, and never delegate a task you wouldn’t do yourself.
Be candid. Always tell the truth to your employees, including the truth about your business. Be honest about obstacles, and regroup with your team when something doesn’t go as planned.
Have a sense of purpose. It’s not enough for your company to have a mission; you also need to make sure your employees know that mission, and understand their role within it. Articulate this to them often.
Listen. Your employees will want to provide you with feedback about the company and perhaps about your leadership style. You may or may not agree with them, but what matters most is that you allow them the chance to express themselves. Make sure they feel heard, and valued.
Support your team. Make sure everyone on your team has the resources needed to do the work you’ve asked for. When employees come to you with needs, listen to them, and look for practical ways to help them.
Praise your team members. When the team has a triumph, make sure you are very public and very effusive in celebrating everyone’s achievement.
Great leaders invest in individuals, but more than that, they work to build stronger teams. These suggestions will get you started doing exactly that.