Building a strong team is more than just a path to achieving great business results. It’s essential for boosting morale, raising productivity and supporting overall wellbeing in the workplace.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), cohesive teams that feel psychologically safe can supercharge an organisation by drawing on each member’s unique skills and ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. At its core, effective team building makes people genuinely happier to come into work, and so is key to the growth of any type of organisation!
We spoke with Kay Thomas, principal consultant at Burendo, who recently led a popular team-building workshop here at Wellington Place. Whether you’re part of a small team or a larger organisation, here are Kay’s top tips for building the ultimate team where everyone can thrive. Click on the page below to take a look at Kay’s video.
1. Communication is key
Encourage open, two-way communication that works for your team and aligns with the message you’re trying to convey. But don’t just talk, listen. Pay close attention to what your team is sharing with you.
There are a number of internal communication tools you can use to make sure your team feel heard and valued. Interactive channels like employee surveys and digital forums help team members to express themselves freely and professionally, while you can learn from their experiences.
However, these channels need to be designed in a way that doesn’t pressure or censor anyone into responding a certain way. The goal is to empower each individual to be honest and open. When everyone feels heard, collaboration becomes so much easier.
2. Understand what motivates your team
Get to know what really drives your team. What do they care about? What gets them excited?
Ask these questions during monthly one-to-one meetings, or discover what drives them through surveys, polls, quizzes and workshops – or even observe how they respond to challenges or constructive feedback.
By finding out what really incentivises your team, whether it be team lunches, knowledge sharing sessions, charity initiatives or regular social events, you can understand what makes them tick and begin to build an inspired team as a result.
3. Know your team’s commitment levels
Find out your team members’ commitment levels. Are they genuinely engaged, or just showing up out of obligation?
For example, if taking on more responsibility would increase their job satisfaction, support their growth by identifying relevant training courses or creating development plans that align with their career goals. On the other hand, if they value work-life balance, offer flexibility and personal time as needed to show you appreciate their priorities.
When you understand what drives each team member’s commitment and how to make them feel valued, you’ll build a team rooted in trust and shared goals and a culture they are proud to be a part of.
4. Embrace diversity and a mix of skills
Diversity is essential for building a great team. You need different perspectives, backgrounds and skills to create something amazing. Don’t just fill your team with people who think and act like you – mix it up! That way, you can achieve your goals more effectively and give everyone a chance to learn and grow.
At the same time, protecting psychological safety is crucial. Support your team as they navigate different skills and perspectives they may not be used to by fostering trust. This will empower them to take risks, speak up, disagree openly, and surface concerns without fear.
And always remember to lead by example. You can’t expect your team to behave a certain way if you’re not modelling it yourself. When you’re honest and vulnerable, your team will feel safe to do the same.
These simple strategies can help turn your team into a powerhouse of collaboration and creativity, making your workplace not just more productive, but a more enjoyable place to be.
Thank you to Kay Thomas, principal consultant at Burendo, for sharing her thoughts in this blog. To find out more, contact together@burendo.com
