Teams come in all forms. Teams are part of non-profits, churches, or business organizations. It does not matter if the work is done by an employee, a volunteer, or a group of business partners, team members still have to get along. The more respect we show each other, the more likely we are to interact in harmony. People feel appreciated and are more likely to put effort into a project when they feel as thorough their efforts, (or they themselves) are appreciated. While we may have been on the receiving end of brusque – or brash – criticism, none of us wants to commit the same offense.
Here are ten tips that can help sustain an empowering environment for your organization:
1. Be careful to use proper titles when making introductions. Introducing the accounting team leader as your favorite bookkeeper may not be taken as a compliment.
2. Avoid giving orders and make respectful requests instead. People like being asked even when they know they have no choice but to do what you request. Respectful requests help create a positive work environment.
3. Ask for what you want and continue to clarify until you get it. “I wonder if you could separate the bills into like denominations,” is much better than, “You separated the money wrong. Let me show you how to do it.”
4. Share credit for a job well done. Mention the names of those who worked with you when you are being praised.
5. Ask staff and volunteers about their schedules before adding to their workloads, especially when they are assisting more than one person. Offer to negotiate priority yourself, if needed.
6. Praise your staff and volunteers very specifically. “Thanks for stepping in to handle this for me on the weekend, “ is nice. However, “Thanks for stepping into come in on the weekend and get that report done before the Monday meeting. Your contribution will help us meet our goals this month,” is even better. Letting your employees or volunteers know where their work fits into the big picture helps encourage enthusiastic participation.
7. Refrain from participating in any office gossip. Dealing in facts alone will help the members of your team grow to trust what ever you say.
8. Avoid criticizing staff members or volunteers in front of others. If correction is necessary, ask to speak to the person or group concerned in private.
9. Speak to those who work or volunteer for you as professionally as you would want them to speak to you.
10 Do something nice for a team member who is under pressure promotes an atmosphere of cooperation. For example, bringing lunch to a team member working hard to meet a deadline will often get you more than just the work turned in on time.
Reprinted from Contact June / July 2007
