Team Motivation
Discussion
I was having a chat with a mate last night, and we are managers of companies with a small team (approx 5 staff) each under us.
Now we were talking about team building etc. Something he does is pull all the people together once a month to have a "team" meeting to have like an open fourum, questions etc etc and to let the staff know how the company is doing and future plans etc.
With my industry, and all the places i have been to/worked in (engineering), this has never happened. His indutry is an Office enviroment.
Is it a good thing to do?.. and helps boost staff moral and motivation?
Now we were talking about team building etc. Something he does is pull all the people together once a month to have a "team" meeting to have like an open fourum, questions etc etc and to let the staff know how the company is doing and future plans etc.
With my industry, and all the places i have been to/worked in (engineering), this has never happened. His indutry is an Office enviroment.
Is it a good thing to do?.. and helps boost staff moral and motivation?
It is generally a good thing to do - most people are more motivated when they feel involved in the job they are doing, and have the chance to have a say in the way things happen. Having a monthly open discussion can be a good way to make this happen.
It probably helps if you add some food and drink too!
It probably helps if you add some food and drink too!
Haha yeah it is a good idea but a few years back when working for an international courier service at the airport, our team leader at the time thought it was a good idea to have a team bonding exercise at a local leisure centre. It ended up with 5 people being arrested (and ultimately sacked) and 3 in hospital (one being a girl). Beer fuelled bowling. It’s what brawls are made of!
Ensure that everyone in a team understands what needs to be done to do a good job.
Ensure that you listen to their concerns and get buy in.
Communication is key, talking and listening, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason, making sure that everyone in the team is given a chance to have their say. That usually requires shutting the loud ones up and coaxing things from the quieter people.
Once you've demonstrated that as a team leader you're capable of addressing issues and providing improvements in peoples working lives they'll go the extra mile for you.
Ensure that you listen to their concerns and get buy in.
Communication is key, talking and listening, you have two ears and one mouth for a reason, making sure that everyone in the team is given a chance to have their say. That usually requires shutting the loud ones up and coaxing things from the quieter people.
Once you've demonstrated that as a team leader you're capable of addressing issues and providing improvements in peoples working lives they'll go the extra mile for you.
What used to work quite well at my previous place of employment were team meetings where you get a short presentation about how the company/ deprtment was doing (If you put a how great we are slant on things it makes people feel good thus increases motiviation).
Then it moved to an open forum where everybody could say what they felt was going well or not so well. This was supplemented with a beer or wine. Not loads of alcohol but just one or two each. It used to work well as people become instantly more relaxed with a beer in their hands.
Then it moved to an open forum where everybody could say what they felt was going well or not so well. This was supplemented with a beer or wine. Not loads of alcohol but just one or two each. It used to work well as people become instantly more relaxed with a beer in their hands.
It's definitely a good idea. It can also be a good idea to have a cross team event, usually with a team that you interact with. It will realise productivity and business gains.. It's amazing how barriers can suddenly melt and people are more accomodating with those that they've met up with outside of a normal work environment. You might just find out some hobby or interest that you or others have in common, etc.. I always recommended having them when people started in the team and of course also when they left, it breaks the ice really well.
It doesn't even need to be expensive or monthly, but at least every couple of months or quarterly.
It doesn't even need to be expensive or monthly, but at least every couple of months or quarterly.
You can go too far though.
Recently I was doing some work at a customer's site, and they were having a "360 degree review day" whereby everyone sits round a table and makes patronising unpleasant comments about eachother whilst trying to sound polite and friendly. It was toe-curling, TBH.
"That's true Janet, but I think it's fair to say that your manner on the phone can also be quite aggressive"
"Yes, thanks for that feedback Joe - although I think if anyone is aggressive in this company, it's you"
etc etc etc
Which I can't imagine really does any good in the long term... Just because you're allowed openly to criticise your colleagues doesn't mean it's a good thing....
Recently I was doing some work at a customer's site, and they were having a "360 degree review day" whereby everyone sits round a table and makes patronising unpleasant comments about eachother whilst trying to sound polite and friendly. It was toe-curling, TBH.
"That's true Janet, but I think it's fair to say that your manner on the phone can also be quite aggressive"
"Yes, thanks for that feedback Joe - although I think if anyone is aggressive in this company, it's you"
etc etc etc
Which I can't imagine really does any good in the long term... Just because you're allowed openly to criticise your colleagues doesn't mean it's a good thing....
Edited by zadumbreion on Wednesday 26th November 12:11
Thanks for the comments, is it better as a group or would it work better as spoken to in a "chat" mannor next to their machines individually?
I always wander if some people would feel more comfortable as an indiviual as they could possibly say something to the boss, that they wouldnt say in front of a group. I am all for it, only havent done it before, and want new ideas to get the best from people, and also a place where they want to come and work, not have to.. if you see what i mean
I always wander if some people would feel more comfortable as an indiviual as they could possibly say something to the boss, that they wouldnt say in front of a group. I am all for it, only havent done it before, and want new ideas to get the best from people, and also a place where they want to come and work, not have to.. if you see what i mean
Edited by sparkyb999 on Wednesday 26th November 12:25
Edited by sparkyb999 on Wednesday 26th November 12:25
sparkyb999 said:
Thanks for the comments, is it better as a group or would it work better as spoken to in a "chat" mannor next to their machines individually?
I always wander if some people would feel more comfortable as an indiviual as they could possibly say something to the boss, that they wouldnt say in front of a group. I am all for it, only havent done it before, and want new ideas to get the best from people, and also a place where they want to come and work, not have to.. if you see what i mean
Do you have an appraisal process in place? Thats the time for gauging individuals thoughts about what they expect and how they will contribute (dressed up a bit, not as blunt as that).I always wander if some people would feel more comfortable as an indiviual as they could possibly say something to the boss, that they wouldnt say in front of a group. I am all for it, only havent done it before, and want new ideas to get the best from people, and also a place where they want to come and work, not have to.. if you see what i mean
Edited by sparkyb999 on Wednesday 26th November 12:25
Edited by sparkyb999 on Wednesday 26th November 12:25
As part of a wider motiviation thing, the look at how great we are speech gives everyone a warm glow. If it doesn't then there are wider issues that you need to get to the root cause of.
If you're trying to motivate them, take them out of the workplace environment and buy them a few beers and some food. Job done. It doesn't need to be expensive and will chivvy people along. I would not advocate a 360 degree review - that would send motivation down, imho. Alternatively go out for lunch, even if it's only Pizza Hut when they've got their lunch deals on. Foot the bill. Let people have a longer than usual lunch hour, possibly two.. Don't stress about the time spent or money and people will be motivated.
Just 1) Get them out of the office. 2) Pay for the beverages and food, within reason, or set an amount per head, anything extra is paid for by individuals themselves.
Just 1) Get them out of the office. 2) Pay for the beverages and food, within reason, or set an amount per head, anything extra is paid for by individuals themselves.
In a similar environment, the best motivation I've seen is, when things are a bit tense, is to stick your head out the office about 5 o'clock and say "f
k this for a game of soldiers, who fancies a pint?"
Credit card behind the bar, one drink or a session, one person or everybody, welcome partners as well. Just make it totally spontaneous. Use it to release the pressure a bit (and show that you recognise things are getting a bit tense).
Workmates become friends, and whether you talk about the rugby or problems with invoicing, everyone will bond, and gain confidence that they can raise issues.
Also, more fun and cheaper than arranging some half-baked awayday.
k this for a game of soldiers, who fancies a pint?"Credit card behind the bar, one drink or a session, one person or everybody, welcome partners as well. Just make it totally spontaneous. Use it to release the pressure a bit (and show that you recognise things are getting a bit tense).
Workmates become friends, and whether you talk about the rugby or problems with invoicing, everyone will bond, and gain confidence that they can raise issues.
Also, more fun and cheaper than arranging some half-baked awayday.
HiRich said:
In a similar environment, the best motivation I've seen is, when things are a bit tense, is to stick your head out the office about 5 o'clock and say "fk this for a game of soldiers, who fancies a pint?"
Credit card behind the bar, one drink or a session, one person or everybody, welcome partners as well. Just make it totally spontaneous. Use it to release the pressure a bit (and show that you recognise things are getting a bit tense).
Workmates become friends, and whether you talk about the rugby or problems with invoicing, everyone will bond, and gain confidence that they can raise issues.
Also, more fun and cheaper than arranging some half-baked awayday.
+1k this for a game of soldiers, who fancies a pint?"Credit card behind the bar, one drink or a session, one person or everybody, welcome partners as well. Just make it totally spontaneous. Use it to release the pressure a bit (and show that you recognise things are getting a bit tense).
Workmates become friends, and whether you talk about the rugby or problems with invoicing, everyone will bond, and gain confidence that they can raise issues.
Also, more fun and cheaper than arranging some half-baked awayday.
1) Read the last chapter of 'The Dilbert Principle'. The book is satirical in nature, but the last chapter (OA5) is worth reading.
2) Employ people who are good at, and enjoy what they are doing for a living. No amount of team-building-lean-back-and-your-colleague-will-catch-you-and-then-you-will-trust-them type crap will make up for people who are about as much use as a pair of plasticine pliers, or people who couldn't give a damn because they hate their job anyway.
3) Stay out of the way. Concentrate on things that actually benefit or impair performance. In most cases, does it really matter if they wear a tie to work? Does it matter if they have pictures of their family in their office? You spend half of your woken hours at work. Its called 'work' because its something we have to do to eat (Thats why its not called 'play' or 'fun'). Might as well at least make it pleasent as possible.
4) Following on from the last point. Provide coffee, tea and squash/juice.
5) If you are sending someone away to some god-awful trading estate in Slough for two weeks, don't put them up in the cheapest sthole you could find and then refuse to expense that beer they had with dinner. My dad used to work for a bunch of penny-pinchers, and was sent down to Devon and put up in a guest house (apparently it was like Fawlty Towers, only smaller). On the first day they rang up and told the company that they were not going to stay there. On the second day there was no response, so on the third day they downed tools and came home, his college had been flown in from Italy for the job.
6) Stop meddling. If you need to change something, then do it. But don't meddle. Its annoying.
7) Clear, open and frank communication within the team. Have an open-door policy, encourage people to say what they really think, not what you or others want to hear. Discourage back-stabbing and bhing behind peoples backs. Same for office politics and 'playing the game'. There is no need for it and it spreads. Once one person starts backstabbing or playing the game, other will start doing it too. Some people are hard-wired to do this. Can you really work with these people?
Once you have got all that right, then it time to go for a meal together, or some drinks when you finish the project or hit a milestone.
Just my thoughts...
2) Employ people who are good at, and enjoy what they are doing for a living. No amount of team-building-lean-back-and-your-colleague-will-catch-you-and-then-you-will-trust-them type crap will make up for people who are about as much use as a pair of plasticine pliers, or people who couldn't give a damn because they hate their job anyway.
3) Stay out of the way. Concentrate on things that actually benefit or impair performance. In most cases, does it really matter if they wear a tie to work? Does it matter if they have pictures of their family in their office? You spend half of your woken hours at work. Its called 'work' because its something we have to do to eat (Thats why its not called 'play' or 'fun'). Might as well at least make it pleasent as possible.
4) Following on from the last point. Provide coffee, tea and squash/juice.
5) If you are sending someone away to some god-awful trading estate in Slough for two weeks, don't put them up in the cheapest s
thole you could find and then refuse to expense that beer they had with dinner. My dad used to work for a bunch of penny-pinchers, and was sent down to Devon and put up in a guest house (apparently it was like Fawlty Towers, only smaller). On the first day they rang up and told the company that they were not going to stay there. On the second day there was no response, so on the third day they downed tools and came home, his college had been flown in from Italy for the job.6) Stop meddling. If you need to change something, then do it. But don't meddle. Its annoying.
7) Clear, open and frank communication within the team. Have an open-door policy, encourage people to say what they really think, not what you or others want to hear. Discourage back-stabbing and b
hing behind peoples backs. Same for office politics and 'playing the game'. There is no need for it and it spreads. Once one person starts backstabbing or playing the game, other will start doing it too. Some people are hard-wired to do this. Can you really work with these people?Once you have got all that right, then it time to go for a meal together, or some drinks when you finish the project or hit a milestone.
Just my thoughts...
sparkyb999 said:
Now we were talking about team building etc. Something he does is pull all the people together once a month to have a "team" meeting to have like an open fourum, questions etc etc and to let the staff know how the company is doing and future plans etc.
With my industry, and all the places i have been to/worked in (engineering), this has never happened. His indutry is an Office enviroment.
Is it a good thing to do?.. and helps boost staff moral and motivation?
Getting back to your original question, yes it is a very good idea, but with some caveats. Way back when I was an automotive designer, we were pretty much rabbit-hutched. It would have been really useful (and motivating) to hear how the new prototype bodyshell was coming along, when it would arrive, and anything to help us feel part of something.With my industry, and all the places i have been to/worked in (engineering), this has never happened. His indutry is an Office enviroment.
Is it a good thing to do?.. and helps boost staff moral and motivation?
But, you need to make it something worthwhile, that's of value and interesting to both them and you. What's happening in the company? Does everyone understand what Charlie's working on? Keep it informal (though with some structure), and open, so they feel capable of asking questions. Drag other people in to do a little show & tell (like the IT guys, but only if it is going to be of value).
And the best way to make it work: Make it early morning, and lay on bacon sarnies and good coffee.
HiRich said:
And the best way to make it work: Make it early morning, and lay on bacon sarnies and good coffee.
I was due to give a talk at a company in Canada about the new NPI process I was putting in place across all sites. I'd been there all week educating all the key people and it was arranged that I'd give a talk for half an hour at 7:30 am on the Friday morning so everyone could see what was going to be happening. The company was paying for a free breakfast in teh works canteen for everyone who turned up. 75 suckers decided that it would be worth getting in half an hour early. I'd got slightly tipsy on Thursday evening and once tipsy decided that a trip to the local nightclub, nicknamed the "three floors of wes."I crawled into the factory at about half past ten to be greeted by a very irate manager that had picked up the bill for the breakfasts. "I've already phoned your boss back in the UK about you!"
Fair play to my boss, he called the manager a twunt for ever expecting me to do anything at 7:30am and to not be so stupid in the future.
Get in touch with Business Link - In the East ( Essex, Herts, Cambs, Beds, Norfolk, Suffolk) they do an excellent series of briefings - one of which is two hours on motivating the team. Some of them are free and the content is really high quality because they use excellent presenters with a lot of business experience
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