Startups are all about people. Every entrepreneur would tell you that it is impossible to gain success in business without a team who is as much enthusiastic about what you are doing as you are.
“Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story” – Casey Stengel
Building a strong and successful team where each member is passionate about the process is a real challenge. When hiring a new employee you never know what this collaboration will result in.
It is always a risk.
Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are not.
Nevertheless, we are trying to attract people similar to ourselves. In everyday life, you would hardly become close friends with people whose values go against yours.
The same in business.
Even if you met a very cool skilled guy with over 10 years of proven experience in your field, but who becomes a cause of conflicts breaking the processes and demotivating the team, more likely you wouldn’t be able to build something great together.
1. Involve people who believe in your idea
“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others” John Maxwell
We are attracted to people who are just like us. Look around!
People believing in your next BIG idea, believe in you. If you are proud of your team, keep it ongoing.
Check also: Where to take business ideas
2. Set goals
“A successful team is a group of many hands and one mind” Bill Bethel
Setting goals sounds like a rule for any entrepreneur. It is great if you understand where you want to be in a year or two.
But make sure that your team is also aware of where you are going.
Discuss. Share. Involve.
3. Appreciate and motivate
“Failure is due to the leader. Success is due to the team”
We are motivated to reach some goals in business and private life when realizing what we get in return when these goals are reached.
Each team player has his own motivation. It can be either skills development, or career growth, or anything else.
But, there should be also one common motivation for the team as a whole. And that is the task for the leader to create it.
By the way, motivating people with money doesn’t work. There is always someone who can become a ‘bigger motivator’ for your team player than you.
My motivation is to bring the results I can be proud of. Motivation is to see a happy and inspired team enjoying the process. Motivation is to move and grow together with a team.
And what is a motivation for you?
Check also: Best movies every entrepreneur should watch for motivation
4. Inspire
“A leader must inspire or his team will expire” Orrin Woodward
Inspiration always doubles my productivity at work. People surrounding me make me move forward. It’s great to get such a dozen of positive energy and motivation in a team.
Inspire your team. Become a leader who is open to everyone, who shares experience, and provides support in turning any difficulties into a simple action plan.
5. Care
“We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust, and care for each other.”
You definitely were in the situation when someone didn’t care about what you were explaining or talking about. Do you remember that feeling? Sucks!
Emotional engagement is an important aspect of teamwork. And it’s not only about the working process.
Provide support and care to your team. Respect their interests and share joys. Spend more time together eating pizza or just playing football and then eating pizza… 🙂
That’s it!
Do you think these steps can hardly be realized when you are too busy caring about your business growth?
Try it!
Tetiana is a business coach and owner of IStartHub, a business media for ambitious female entrepreneurs and small business owners.