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Team-based projects fail as high as 70% of the time. (1) This can lead to profound consequences and long-term impact on an organization. The good news is that leaders have an opportunity to mitigate the impact of team failure by being an advocate for their people.  The result: improved team morale, increased employee engagement and higher performance.

Here are some strategies you can use to help transform your team’s productivity:

Create an Open Environment

Creating an open environment where people feel comfortable communicating perspectives, suggestions, and disagreements is vital for an advocate leader. When teammates feel heard and respected, it helps foster mutual trust and respect, which is at the heart of successful team collaboration.

Encourage Collaboration

Advocacy should be about more than just making sure everyone’s opinion is heard – it should also be about fostering cooperative team dynamics. Encourage your team to work together by offering incentives, providing opportunities to take the initiative, and recognizing the value of the collective effort.

Communicate With Clarity

Successful teams require clear communication so everyone understands their roles, expectations, and deadlines. As a leader, ensure everyone on the team can access the same information to collaborate effectively.

Open Communication

Encourage open communication and dialog between team members. Team members must be willing to listen and engage with positive and constructive feedback, which helps build understanding and trust between colleagues.

Active Listening

Active listening is vital when it comes to fostering successful teams. Leaders should be active listeners, focusing on the needs of each individual within the group while promptly addressing any conflicts.

Show Appreciation

Show genuine appreciation for your team’s successes. Acknowledge the efforts of each team member sincerely. Recognize individual achievements but also acknowledge the contributions made by everyone to the success of the entire team.

Foster Creativity and Innovation

A workplace culture that encourages employees to take ownership of their work and gives them the authority to be drivers of success is essential for leaders to cultivate a culture that nurtures innovation and creativity. Driving innovation requires that employees are provided with the appropriate resources and tools, as well as offered ample opportunities for feedback and growth.

By implementing these strategies as an advocate leader, you can build a motivated team that works together towards common goals. When successful teamwork is achieved, it creates an environment where individual productivity flourishes and positive results follow naturally.

Group travel incentives are a powerful way to motivate teams, improve morale and keep teams engaged in company objectives. Contact Gavel International to learn more.

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SOURCES:

  1. Greenberg, J., and Robert A. Baron, Behavior in Organizations, 9th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2008), 315–16.
Eloisa Mendez