In this post, I'll share with you four ways to foster collaboration and communication among your team members. These techniques won't magically fix problems, but they will help keep teams together long after your organization has been through a turbulent change.
- Set the Scene
Before your team comes together, set the scene by setting expectations. Have an honest conversation about the kinds of conflicts and disagreements you expect from team members, and how you want them to interact. A big part of setting the scene is making sure that you address all of the issues that you know will arise - this way, everyone knows what to expect when the team meets.
- Provide Clear, Honest Feedback
In order to receive honest feedback, you must provide it yourself. Let each member of your team know what you want them to focus on, and encourage them to speak up if they disagree. You'll get much better results if you make feedback transparent to the entire team. This way, everyone is aware that others are paying attention.
- Make Meetings Work
It's important that team members feel comfortable in meeting with each other. Make sure that everyone on the team has a chance to attend meetings. Make sure you don't use the agenda as a crutch to avoid uncomfortable conversations.
- Focus on What You Want, Not What's Right
When we're talking about building resilient teams, we need to understand that everyone's goals may be different. Don't try to fit everyone into one mold; instead, look for ways to accommodate each person's unique preferences.