How to Not Suck As a Manager: 2 Ways to Turn on a Tired Team

Anybody who has ever worked with teams knows that they can get stuck in patterns. There are times when the designs work well and others when they don’t. Teams that follow good practices are more efficient and effective than their leaders would have you believe. Destructive patterns can lead to groups that are unable or unwilling to accomplish anything, and even worse, high levels of stress, waste, and/or both. The role of team leaders is more important than you might think. These two strategies can be used to help a team avoid falling into bad habits that could lead to a loss of the bottom line.

For team members, you can get a personality assessment from a sponsor.

It can be very beneficial for the team’s operation to learn about the diverse ways that people see, think, and feel. Knowing each other’s personalities will allow them to interact more effectively with one another. The three most common assessments for this purpose are the Myers-Briggs Type Index (r), TRACOM’s Social Styles (r), and the True-Colors(r), a color-based personality assessment by True Colors International.

Personality assessment instruments provide information to team leaders and members in three areas: how team members approach work, how they motivate team members, and how they view their work. TRACOM’s Social Styles model defines versatility as being able to work with different social styles. This idea of adapting to communicate with others, regardless of their “type”, is worth considering no matter which assessment instrument you use. It can be beneficial to understand how other people see the world, what they prefer to communicate with, and what their needs are. You will find more productive and effective team members if you work together to share in the best way for each other.

Try a new, challenging, and different project.

A team can easily fall into a rut if they work on the same or closely related tasks every day. Groups exist because the members specialize in one area of work. Team members can achieve more together than they could individually by working together. However, if the same activities are repeated every day, it can lead to boredom. Find a project that will challenge your team and move your organization forward. This will help you rejuvenate your team. Even better would be a project that has visibility. It’s nice to have some recognition. It should be achievable while still allowing for regular tasks. Make sure that the project offers unique challenges that will challenge team members. The new challenges will give the group new energy and will help team members get back on track.

These are just some of the ideas I’ve used to help my teams see things differently and find new ways to do something. This helps them become more motivated. Routine can be good, but it can also make the workplace more enjoyable. There are many ways to motivate a tired team. Your team will likely feel more motivated if you’re more creative.