Building a team to Succeed

Building a formidable team is key to the success of any Leader. This is not easy and of course not straightforward. One needs to invest time and apply thought and needs to reflect on the experience gained, to be able to build a team.

The attempt here is to share what I have learned over the years from my mentors and by working with different teams that I have managed. I wish to call it the 6Es approach.

Establish mutual trust

Whether it is a new team being created or a Leader takes up responsibility of a team that is already set up and working well, the very first step is to establish trust. It is important to trust them and also to earn their trust and respect.

· Be honest and transparent.?Team members need to know that they can trust you to be honest with them, even when it's not easy. This means being upfront about your mistakes, your goals, and your expectations.

· Be reliable.?Team members need to know that they can count on you to come through for them. This means meeting deadlines, keeping your promises, and being available when they need you. Backing the team when they need and supporting them when needed is extremely important.

· Be supportive.?Team members need to know that you have their backs. This means being there for them when they make mistakes, cheering them on when they succeed, and helping them when they need it. For a good leader, the buck stops with himself/herself and the credit goes to the team. And as the saying goes, praise them in public and criticize them in private.

· Be respectful.?Team members need to feel respected by you. This means listening to their ideas, valuing their contributions, and treating them with dignity. It is the team that makes the leader not the other way round (at least that is what I believe).

When you build trust with your team, you create a foundation for success. Team members who trust each other are more likely to be productive, creative, and innovative. They are also more likely to be engaged in their work and committed to the team's goals.

Enable?

Enabling the team is the next step. Every team member would have their strength. They may be good at a lot of aspects. Helping them to get better on their strength and showing them ways and means to improve on their points of improvement is what a good leader is expected to do. Constant feedback aimed at consistent improvement is the key here. Remember, it is not about fault-finding, it is about identifying areas where each individual member of the team can do better.?

It is also about identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the team as a whole. Here, you may do good to get the team to volunteer to work on the areas of improvement for the team. By doing this, they would be adding a skill or two to their own abilities as well.?

Enlighten

A good team may not perform to their potential, if they are not aware of the end goals. No one likes to work on activities. They need to know the reason for something being done, and what their output is expected to deliver, how important is their delivery in the decision-making process, what value does it carry and what will happen if it was not delivered on time, or not delivered at all.

The team should know the vision and mission of the unit. What they are expected to drive, what outcomes they need to own and what do they need to hold themselves accountable for.

This will enlighten them and help them understand their role in the overall scheme of things within the organisation, without which they are trapped inside a box doing mundane tasks and delivering results always against tough turnarounds.

Encourage

This perhaps is the most important leg in team building. Having enabled and enlightened the team, the leader should encourage them to take up more responsibilities with corresponding authority, this is when they realize their potential and understand their ability to grow.

Growth is an important performance driver. Ability to grow and a roadmap within the team/organisation for their growth are necessary to drive any individual. This will not only motivate them to enhance their potential, but also to get themselves ready (by all means) for taking up such responsibilities.

Entrust

Entrusting responsibilities with the team is the next step. This acts as a recognition of their abilities and willingness to do more for the team. Entrusting responsibilities is different from adding work to someone, though it may look the same. Entrusting the outcome of an activity as a recognition, with corresponding authority and accountability will only act as a positive driver as against dumping work on someone. The icing on the cake is when they get credit for the outcome as well.

Enthuse

Enthusing the team is the most ignored and underrated step in team building. Enthusing a team is the act of inspiring and motivating them to be excited about their work and to perform at their best. It can be done in a variety of ways, but some of the most effective methods include:

• Celebrating successes:?When team members achieve a goal, it is important to celebrate their success. This shows that you appreciate their hard work, and it helps to keep them motivated. A mere pat on the back, or public appreciation would mean a lot.
• Giving positive feedback:?Team members need to know that they are doing an excellent job. When you give them positive feedback, it shows that you value their contributions, and it helps to boost their morale.
• Providing opportunities for growth:?Team members need to feel like they are growing and developing in their roles. When you provide them with opportunities to learn and take on new challenges, it helps to keep them engaged and excited about their work.
• Creating a positive work environment:?A positive work environment is one where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and working together. When you create a positive work environment, it helps to enthuse the team and foster creativity and innovation. A good leader’s skill lies in making the team feel the urge to come to work every day. It is all about making the working atmosphere lively.
• Being a role model:?As a team leader, your enthusiasm is contagious. When you are passionate about your work and you show that you are excited about the team's goals, it helps to enthuse the team and motivate them to do their best.
• Be a good listener:?Take the time to listen to your team members' ideas and concerns. This shows that you value their input and it helps them feel like they are part of the team.
• Be flexible:?Be willing to change your plans or adjust your expectations if necessary. This shows that you are adaptable and that you are committed to the team's success.
• Be patient:?It takes time to build trust and enthusiasm within a team. Be patient with your team members and let them know that you are there to support them.

?

A good leader is one who works with the team, for the team and on behalf of the team. ?A leader is one who converges their energy and effort to a common point; one that would deliver success. A leader asks; does not question, requests; does not command, leads by example; not merely direct, takes responsibility; does not fix it on a team member.