If managing your team is like teaching cats to push ropes, then you need a new approach. Confused workers, sloppy processes, poor work, and low morale aren't just the fault of your team members; these are signs that you could manage your work better.
As a leader, there are all kinds of ways to improve your team's performance. However, if their productivity is lacking, your results as a leader will also be lacking. That's why improving your team's productivity must be your highest priority. Simply put, when your team becomes more productive, the results of your other efforts multiply.
Related: Surprising secrets to boost productivity
1. Clearly define your expectations.
Before you can take advantage of any other means of improving your team's productivity, you absolutely must clarify your expectations. When employee expectations go awry, the ramifications can be many and extreme.
Some team members may not meet their productivity goals simply because they don't know what those goals are. Don't assume they do. Instead, be as specific as possible about what they're supposed to do, from daily goals to monthly goals. The important thing is that these objectives come with objective descriptions.
Review these things with each staff member so they can ask questions. Then, when you have a final document that describes what they need to do, ask them to sign it.
2. Create standard processes for projects.
Project processes are important investments in your team's productivity. You don't want people reinventing the wheel every time they take on a new project. It's not just ineffective; it also increases the likelihood that the project will not succeed.
Create templates for your team's regular projects. The details here are extremely important. You want to eliminate opportunities for a staff member to introduce variability.
While you need defined processes, it's also a good idea to accept suggestions for refining them. This will ensure they continue to improve over time.
Related: 5 Exemplary Leadership Practices
3. Learn the skills of each staff member.
Everyone is different, which means no two people have exactly the same strengths and weaknesses. Instead of treating every employee the same, structure your team's workload so that they make the most of these different skills.
You'll have an easier time increasing productivity if you learn the skills of each one. You can just ask people about their strengths to get a good idea, but don't forget to go over their work history as well. Someone might think they are excellent in sales, but their performance is not the same. Talking with their supervisors will also be helpful; they'll know intimately where an employee is succeeding and where they're struggling.
Pierre Gurdjian and Oliver Triebel of McKinsey &Company recommend skills gap surveys. This means allowing employees to provide feedback on their skills gaps and those of their peers. These surveys also give them the opportunity to assess the skills of their team as a whole and situate them against what it will take to achieve their goals.
4. Show your appreciation.
Employee recognition is important. the Harvard business review even calls it the “easiest way to boost morale.”
No one likes to feel like their efforts go unnoticed, but employee recognition goes beyond that. An employee who knows they are appreciated will also feel more secure with your company and more motivated to work hard for it.
The more productive your team is, the better your business will be. If your team is underperforming, make sure they know your expectations, create and improve standard processes, be sure to leverage your members' strengths rather than weaknesses, and always show appreciation for good work. As a leader, you'll find that a more productive team is easier to manage and produces better results.
Related: The 5 Pillars of Authentic Leadership
