Teams must share both the same values and hard work ethic and should work towards the same goal. It is, however, a leader’s responsibility to bring people together, so they share the same vision and mission, which can drive results across a business. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a small start-up company or a large organization, learn how to promote team unity across your company.
Develop a Team Vision
Team members must be on the same page from the get-go, so they work hard to achieve the same results. It might, therefore, be a wise idea to allow individuals to participate in setting the team vision, so everyone gets behind the company mission. This will make members of staff feel they have a voice within the business, so they will do their utmost to make each aim a reality.
Respect Your Employees’ Opinions
Different team members will have different opinions or ideas. They’ll also communicate their thoughts in different ways. It is important not to reject or ignore an employee’s ideas, as you could risk ostracizing them from a team. Listen carefully to what they have to say, provide them with a forum to express themselves, and respectfully explain an opposing position.
It’s important you are continually aware of your body language during the conversation, as your actions could speak louder than words. It is possible to achieve team unity, even if people have different opinions, as employees simply want their voices to be heard and for their ideas to be respected. Encourage all members of staff to follow in your footsteps, too.
Enhance Morale Across the Team
Morale is an essential aspect of a united team. If people feel disrespected or undervalued, they might be tempted to abandon the business and go elsewhere. Make members of staff feel valued through reward and recognition. For example, the military and fire services often present their members of staff with customized challenge coins, which can enhance morale and make members feel part of a team. Create a sense of pride within your organization by visiting this site to create your own custom challenge coins. This will make employees believe they are part of something great, so will feel proud to work alongside their colleagues and superiors every day.
Build Trust Across the Team
Trust is the foundation of teamwork. If an individual cannot trust their colleagues, they will be less likely to rely on another’s talent and skills when they are most needed, and may attempt to do it all alone. Create a unified team by attempting to build trust across the organization. Provide opportunities for members to get to know each other on a personal level, as you can offer team building activities or corporate events. This will help your team to build relationships and increase interaction, which can create a stronger unit and, as a result, a more productive workplace.
Remember the Little Things
It’s easy for employees to feel they are just another number within the company. Prove they are a valuable member of the team by remembering their little things about them. For example, take note of their birthday, and present them with a gift and a card signed from the whole team, which will make them feel like an integral member of the company. It’s a small act of kindness that can make a big difference to employee morale.
Influence Others Using Positive Behavior
As stated, many team members might have conflicting opinions or ideas. You can, however, promote team unity by using positive behaviors to influence others. For example, you can appeal to your team’s values or use logical persuasion. Yet, avoid using negative influencing tactics, which select team members might become wise too, such as manipulation, threats or intimidation. Always appeal to a person’s character when selling a corporate vision to a team, so they will each work towards the same goal.
Define Clear Roles
There could be an internal conflict if two people are performing the same job within the business, as one might try to push the other out. Defining clear roles could potentially prevent tension developing within a team, as one person could be responsible for one aspect of a job, and another team member be responsible for different tasks. This will provide each member of staff with their own individual responsibilities, so they will have more individuality within the company. So, define who is responsible for what tasks, and make them aware that overlapping tasks are key to a united team.
Support Struggling Employees
Not all employees are equal. While some members of staff may flourish in every project, others may struggle with select tasks. It is vital to look for employees who are struggling to reach their potential, so you can find ways to build their confidence and overcome any obstacles holding them back. They might require further training or may simply need a pep talk to lift their spirits. Always be on the lookout for struggling employees to unify a team.
Encourage Collaborations
Humans have an innate desire to become apart of a community. Achieve team unity by encouraging team members to collaborate on tasks or projects, which will increase productivity and creativity while allowing others to develop stronger working relationships. It will also allow your employees to learn from their colleagues’ knowledge and skills, which can support their personal performance in the future.
Celebrate Company Achievements as a Team
Many companies are often invited to events following award nominations for their industry achievements. As there will only be a select amount of tickets available for an event, it is easy for employees to feel ignored or overlooked when the business experiences great success. Leaders must, therefore, do everything in the power to make staff feel part of the process. So, treat everyone to a celebratory glass of champagne, team bonding activity or corporate meal – and don’t forget to thank your team for their hard work and commitment, which was integral to the organization’s success.