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Four ways to motivate your teams …

For most of us, workplace collaboration is an integral part of our day. We get into the office and within minutes people are asking for help and advice face-to-face, over the phone and by email …

If you get your workplace collaboration right, business productivity is always improved!

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The way teams interact and communicate is essential to the smooth running of a business, but did you know there is an entire psychology behind it? And the better you know that psychology, the better you can motivate your team to work together.

“Good communication leads to good collaboration which leads to business success!”

There are many books written on the subject and over the 45 years of my own experience running businesses, I’ve picked up many tips and pointers. Some work well, some not so well, so I’ve distilled what I’ve learned into this useful list:

1. Promote ‘good’ stress for better collaboration

   There is a lot of stress out there, and it is perceived by most people as bad. But when it’s managed effectively, it can be a real boost to creativity and improve team engagement.

   By limiting ‘hindrance stressors’, your workplace can develop a more autonomous environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and collaborating.

2. Bridge the introvert/extrovert gap

   Did you know that 50-75% of the population are classed as extroverts and the rest are introverts? In any team, there will be a mix of both all with different working and communication styles. For example, extroverts like busy, noisy workspaces and introverts don’t.

   It’s unlikely you are able to provide every introvert with their own office for a secluded workspace, but you can promote flexible working options using good technology to boost productivity.

3. There is no failure, only feedback

   When a company runs on a blame culture, productivity collapses and team communication fails. Regular one-to-one and group assessments are essential. Don’t save everything up for the yearly review and for every negative you want to bring up, make sure you balance that with a positive too!

   Working this way means problems can be fixed quickly, and colleagues will form better, more open relationships. And remember, feedback goes up as well as down!

4. Sometimes, let employees’ minds wander

   It’s all well and good setting tasks for the individual team members to do each day and ensuring it’s done to schedule, but it’s also good to allow them some time to daydream too.

   You’ll be surprised how the brain works when this happens; creativity can be boosted and some great new ideas and innovations can leap from the mind having the freedom to just drift for a while.

The most productive teams have a wide mix of personalities in them and it is up to the leader to ensure everyone is engaged and communicating in the most efficient way.

By understanding how employees are psychologically affected by workplace events and how you can make a positive change, your business and your employee satisfaction will benefit.

“Would you like to know more?”

I have many years experience in the psychology of workplace collaboration and can use these skills to improve employee engagement and communication, which in turn boosts the overall productivity of your business.

Call me on 01280 700405 and let’s see how I can help you.

Until next time …

KATH BONNER-DUNHAM