Team building is hard. It’s complicated and unpredictable. Respect is a simple word. It’s short, easy to spell, and easy to say. But, this simple word is a very important if you want to build a team and get their best work.
Hip Shots
- Let your team do their jobs. If you don’t like the work but it can be defended then support it. Your team member might know more about it than you do. After all, they just spent hours thinking it through. This is especially true if they are expert in a particular area. Do this a few times and you will be amazed at the care they take on future projects.
- Be an active listener. Active listening demonstrates you value and respect what is being said. Team members will be more likely to express their true beliefs if they know they will be listened to and that their ideas won’t be dismissed.
- Pass the credit along. If someone has an idea acknowledge it. If the idea is well received pass the praise along. Doing this demonstrates you respect your team members and their contribution.
- Take the time to understand why something was done a certain way. Nobody comes to work with the intention of doing a bad job. The message won’t be lost.
- Say “thank you.” It says you appreciate their effort even if you don’t use or agree with all the work. Try it. See what happens.
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