As a small business owner, building your team probably took a lot of time and effort. Hiring the right people is vital to the growth and success of your organization, so the last thing you want to worry about is high turnover. Since employee retention rates are linked to overall satisfaction at work, it makes sense that stronger, more cohesive teams tend to have employees who stick around. Explore our seven team-building tips for small business owners, along with the benefits of building stronger teams.
The Importance of Building Strong Teams
Team-building efforts can go a long way toward creating supportive and effective teams. Some of the activities involved in building your team can boost critical functions, including collaboration, communication, productivity, and morale. Additionally, when the people on your team feel like they can trust one another, they often feel more comfortable sharing ideas and making decisions together.
6 Benefits of Stronger Teams
In addition to the benefits outlined above, team-building efforts can deliver the following advantages:
- Improved collaboration
- Opportunities to learn and build new skills
- Enhanced workplace happiness
- Reinforced loyalty and commitment to the team
- Improved decision-making efforts
- Better talent retention
7 Team Building Tips for Any Small Business Owner
Now that you understand the importance of a stronger team, use these seven tips to build up your workforce and reap the benefits.
Consider unique options
Most people working in the corporate world have participated in at least one team-building activity, and they may not look upon it with great fondness. Instead of opting for the same team-building activity that everyone has already done before, try something different.
Sign up for a group fitness class and grab smoothies afterward to chat. Take a tour of a local museum and share insights into what you saw. Thinking outside the box can create a more engaging experience for everyone involved.
Emphasize the interests and strengths of the team
As you consider what activities to offer to build teams, think about what each member is good at and plan accordingly. Indeed data reports that 98 percent of workers perform better when feeling confident, so give them the chance to succeed by playing to their strengths.
If you’re not sure where people thrive, take the time to get to know them and their unique abilities. Assign tasks based on stronger skills and provide coaching and development opportunities in areas where team members may feel they struggle. These efforts will pay off significantly in the long run, making them worthwhile investments into employee retention.
Be a better leader
When you want your team to collaborate and work together as a strong, unified unit, you have to lead by example. If the workforce sees you pitching in when needed or giving feedback on a project, they’re more likely to follow suit. By contrast, if you aren’t leading by acting the way you want employees to act, you may encounter struggles or even experience higher turnover rates.
Address conflicts head-on
Of course, not all teams will function smoothly at all times. Conflicts happen – they’re par for the course when dealing with differing opinions and roles. Do your best to address these issues head-on, rather than waiting for them to fester and become worse.
Scheduling regular team-building activities can strengthen bonds and encourage members to share their feedback in a more positive and constructive way. Keeping up with the needs of every member of the team can also make a big difference, particularly if you can encourage collaboration between individuals who you feel will work well together.
Ask for feedback
No one wants to feel ignored at work (or anywhere else). Make sure your employees know you’re open to their feedback, and ask for it regularly when considering how to improve morale and boost the strength of teams. When people are willing to speak up, acknowledge their comments and speak to how you plan to address their opinions. If you’re having trouble getting feedback, consider implementing anonymous surveys so team members can speak their minds freely without fear of pushback.
Incorporate opportunities for professional development
When you have individuals on your team who aim to climb the corporate ladder, opportunities for professional development are always appealing. After all, these workers tend to look for ways to get ahead and learn new things. By investing in regular development for your teams, you can demonstrate support while building cohesion. Plus, employees get access to the tools they need to succeed, which benefits the entire organization.
Implement continuous opportunities to work together
Team building isn’t a one-and-done situation. Rather, it’s an ongoing process that requires constant check-ins. Look for ways to encourage teams to work together, both in and out of the office. If you don’t feel like things are going well, be open to change. Try new activities and offer opportunities for members of your workforce to collaborate and build trust.
These tips can help you build a foundation for ongoing team-building efforts within your organization. You may find that employee retention rates go up as people feel supported, valued, and needed within the company. Taking advantage of all the tools at your disposal is also valuable.
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