4 Ways to Build Resilient Teams that Thrive in Your Small Business

As leaders, we’re always looking at ways to cultivate our culture and build resilient teams that thrive. It is well known that retention of teams creates stronger bonds. It doesn’t just increase productivity, but also increases happiness.

So what are some techniques to help build your team while also wanting each person to fully utilize their time and streamline their activities to reduce wasted energy?

First and foremost, I think it begins with attracting people to your team that are in alignment with the mission that you’re on.  If a person doesn’t resonate with your ideal client and what we’re trying to accomplish, it will be difficult to get their buy in to be at their best for their team and for our clients.

On the other hand, when they get an endorphin rush after working with a client and seeing their success, you’ll know you have a person who derives daily motivation from doing what they do and knowing that their contributions make a difference.

Second, as leaders we need to take the time to develop the human connection with each of our team members and find out what makes them tick. This isn’t just learning their strengths and weaknesses, but also learning what brings them joy. What is their learning style, and what is their motivational style?

For instance, one person might learn best by reading. They love the long, very detailed procedures and feel a sense of accomplishment by mastering their duties. 

Another person might be more of a visual learner and thrive on completion of projects, on always be on a mission to just get the thing done as quickly as possible.

Others might be audible learners and thrive on feeling connected with their team and in the journey of building a project. 

Taking time to understand each of your team members gives you great insight in bringing them together and helping them work together in unison.

Third, our systems are what brings everyone together and reduces communication errors and confusion. Systems are made up of not just the policy (why we do this), the procedure (the step by step how to), but also the checklists, videos, examples, templates, workflows, diagrams, scripts, etc.  Everything is made common by written explanation. 

Systems allow us to level the playing field by providing the data in methods that work for different learning styles. They create clarity as to what is expected for the end product and the elements we want each person to undertake. Systems also allow you to spot check that projects are proceeding forward and to course correct without micromanaging.

Finally, allowing your team the opportunity to take on projects and fail is sometimes a necessary element. Each person has to recognize where they could have been better or where they needed more assistance and needed to ask for help.

Each person on your team has a different journey and path to greatness, and their journey is an evolution as well. By taking the time to check in with them, this will give them opportunities to grow and not just do a J.O.B.

Building resilient teams takes work on many different levels, but by being intentional, you will be on a path of greatness.