How to build a strong team at your business

One of the major factors that will determine the success of your startup is the people you work with. There is no successful business in history that was built by one man. You need a team around you to build a lasting company. However, building a good team is not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of parameters you will have to consider while choosing the people to work with and building culture amongst them. Building a good team is not a matter of just choosing those that have the required academic qualifications and sending them to work. It’s way beyond that. In this post, I will take you through the things you need to do to build a strong and resilient team

• Don’t only consider talent while hiring

Someone could be super talented at something but if they don’t have the right attitude, it will always be hard for them to perform at the top level. As a startup, you always need to look at people beyond their resume or academic qualifications. Their personality and attitude are as important as their skillset.  A person with the right attitude will always be willing to learn more and will eventually become more skilful over time.

• People should always come before money

One of the biggest mistakes company leaders make is putting revenue and profits above everything. For instance, if an employee has a health problem, some of the companies may consider only paying him for the days he has worked since this person was not productive while sick. This may seem like a good strategy to save the company money in the short term but such acts will demotivate his colleagues at work.  But instead, always give as much support as you can whenever one of your team members needs it. This kind of relationship is what will connect your workers more to the company and amongst one another

• Make your vision clear to your team

When a partner or an employee comes on board, it is always important to take them through the vision of your company. When one knows where the company is heading, it is quite easier for them to get along with other team members and also adopt the company culture. That is why it’s important to have some form of handbook that has the strategic direction of your business. Every new employee and partner should be given that handbook for them to further read and understand where the business has come from and where it is heading

• Ensure everyone on the team is aware of their responsibilities

When a member of the team knows the role they have to play for the company to reach its vision, it becomes easier for them to focus and get things done. You need to ensure your team members show up every day to work with purpose. This can only be achieved when they know their roles and responsibilities is whatever position they hold at the company

• Encourage your team members to know each other on a personal level

This should start with you the leader. As a leader, you should take the initiative to know all your team members on a personal level if possible. Then also encourage the team members to get to know each other. This can be done through organizing team outings where members can have the freedom of discussing other life issues outside work. This will build a stronger connection between the workers in the long run. And when team members know each other well, it’s quite easier to support one another while at work that in end leads to better results

• Celebrate achievements

When you hit your quarterly or annual targets, it is important to celebrate as a team. You may also recognize the best performers on such celebrations in a way that doesn’t make others feel inferior. Such celebrations bring the team together and also show them that working together will always lead to achieving big things.

• Make it easy for everyone on the team to reach out to you

As a leader at your company, you shouldn’t put a boundary between you and the rest of the team. Otherwise, a lot of things will go on in the company without your knowledge which is so dangerous. Always encourage everyone on the team to reach out to you whenever they have an issue. This will make the workers feel that you care about them as their leader and they will always do their best every day they show up for work.

• Manage departures in a professional way

In every company, there will always be a point when one of the members feels like departing. In such times, it is important to make the whole process easy for them and also wish them luck wherever they are going. At times someone may leave just because the company culture does not suit their lifestyle. In the end, this will be a win for both parties. Because having a team member who’s not fully committed will often affect the attitude of other workers as well. So, let those who want to leave go without any resistance.