Get the basics right to increase team engagement and productivity

As I talk with leaders in different companies in various industries, the same issues come up over and over.

We work in dynamic companies with complex issues. We’re dealing with daily crises and pressures. Because of this, we sometimes forget to take care of the basics which leads to reduced productivity and employee engagement.

Here are three basics, that if addressed, will make teams both more productive and engaged:

1.??????Role Clarity – Many of the leaders I speak with have trouble explaining their specific responsibilities and how they differ from others within their teams and organizations. They’re confused about what they “own” versus what others “own”. As a result, they are unclear about their impact or how their success will be measured. As leaders, we need to help each employee answer the following questions:

• What are their specific responsibilities?
• How will their performance be measured?
• What are their measurable goals that must be achieved for the team or organization to achieve its goals?

2.??????Decision-making Rights – It’s common for leaders to lack clarity on which decisions they’re able to make on their own and which need to be escalated. As a result, decision-making becomes chaotic and slow. To address this, we need to answer questions such as:

• Who is responsible for each type of decision within an organization and whose input should be considered?
• As leader of a team or organization, which decisions will you make and which will you delegate?

3.??????Rewards – Often, employees are rewarded for behaviors that work against the organization or team’s success. A common example is that teamwork is needed to achieve the organization’s goals, but individual performance is rewarded rather than team performance. To remedy this, consider:

• What results and behaviors are needed to achieve the team or company’s mission?
• How should rewards be structured to encourage desired behaviors and achieve results?

There are many dynamics at play in the success or failure of organizations. An investment in getting these three basics right will go a long way.?