Is your dysfunctional team hurting YOUR bottom line?
There is huge pressure in running a business. What every business owner wants more than anything, is to have a great cohesive team that works collaboratively together to drive the key factors in generating more revenue. If one or two staff members of your team (especially a manager) is not on board, then how much is this costing you?
It takes time to get the right team together, but what is more important is ensuring your right team stay together. You have created something great in building your business and you want to see the people you employ striving to make that even better.
If someone is not pulling their weight, and it only takes one or two team members to be complacent or disengaged, then you have a few problems to address. However, if the problems lie within management, then that can create huge dysfunction within your business as departments are not aligned. Many business owners struggle with this, not knowing how to fix it. Fear can be a factor, particularly when you feel out of your comfort zone and the case may be that you just don’t have the right framework to make the necessary changes.
Managing teams is no easy task. If your staff members or managers are operating within their own agenda and not playing their role in the big picture, then this makes it hard for you to grow. We all have different personalities which, when addressing things, can be very confronting, so sometimes we let things slide just because it is easier. A big challenge for many businesses can be when the market changes, and you need your staff/ teams on board to get behind you and start adjusting and tailoring solutions for better outcomes. Sometimes however, it can back-fire as many people don’t like change. I have a saying; business owners lay awake at night thinking about one of three things:
- Profit – How do I make more profit to stay in business?
- Staff – Do I have the right staff on board that can take my business to the next level?
- Customers – How can my business service them better to meet and exceed their expectations?
If you are tossing and turning over all three above, then you need help!
You may need HR Advice on how to turn your team around, or it could be as simple as taking your team away for an off-site get away to re-build your team spirit and brainstorm on how you can, as a team, work more cohesively together.
One of New York Times bestselling books ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’, written by Patrick Lencioni, is a real winner for this type of workshop. It can be confronting facing your own team, the best way to bring in maximum results is to bring on board an accredited facilitator. Without ties to any of the people in your team, the facilitator will take control of the workshop without letting emotions get in the way. As a facilitator I enjoy running this type of workshop. It is all about the model and how to identify where the team is at now, and what do you need to do to build a strong management/collaborative team by having everyone on the same page.
The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ Model
TRUST ONE ANOTHER
When team members are genuinely transparent and honest with one another, they are able to build vulnerability-based trust.
ENGAGE IN CONFLICT AROUND IDEAS
When there is trust, team members are able to engage in an unfiltered, constructive debate of ideas.
COMMIT TO DECISIONS
When team members are able to offer opinions and debate ideas, they will be more likely to commit to decisions.
HOLD ONE ANOTHER ACCOUNTABLE
When everyone is committed to a clear plan of action, they will be more willing to hold one another accountable.
FOCUS ON ACHIEVING COLLECTIVE RESULTS
The ultimate goal of building greater trust, healthy conflict, commitment, and accountability is one thing: the achievement of results.
KBA use this model in many Business Improvement Workshops as a focus for change and better leadership. Many businesses struggle with getting this process right. What is the purpose of having a Company Mission, Vision or Values Statement, if staff are not on board and eager to deliver the best outcomes for your business?
One thing I know is that you cannot expand or grow if your team is dysfunctional. You need to invest to create change otherwise your good people will not stay. Having the best people to help implement your strategy is going to put you on the right road to success.
Our market is rapidly changing and we all need to keep up. I find that many business owners struggle to get their business to the next level. The management team is a key factor in achieving this – a committed and talented management team will help drive your business to that next level. You need to build a cohesive team that has all the elements of Trust, Conflict, Commitment, Accountability and Results!
I hope the above has helped you with a few ideas to consider, please do not hesitate to contact us for more advice. Read the book as it sends a great message as per above. For the first 3 enquiries of this program, KBA will send you a copy of the book for FREE!
If you need help in building your business, then contact us at Key Business Advisors on 1300 4 ADVICE
The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team’ is a trademark of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
