A great team culture is one of the most powerful investments you can make into output and growth. Experts agree that teams with exceptional cultures perform better.
At Mills Resources, we have the privilege and opportunity to engage, talk with and see first-hand many workers, employers and workplace environments. We observe that teams with great cultures are attractive locations for the best talent, and great talent contributes to a team culture in positive ways. Here are five tips to building a great team culture from us.
1. Culture begets success
A great culture enables success at every level. By building a strong team fabric within your workplace, team performance will increase. Furthermore, teams with powerful corporate cultures attract great people and those great people in turn then positively impact the culture moving forward. It becomes a great cycle for culture.
2. Consistency is key
Clarifying the purpose and setting the vision is not a one-time communication piece. It has to be reiterated in every meeting and across every interaction with your staff. Vision and values are not “feel good things” written on a wall plaque in the break room – they have to be breathed and lived in every decision that an organization takes. This consistency permeates the DNA of a team. Formal and informal forums like water-cooler conversations, one-on-ones, all hands meetings, and internal newsletters are a great way to reinforce the message but the key is consistency.
3. Start with the right people
Get people on your team who are either rock stars in their chosen fields, with the proven capabilities to back it up, or otherwise, the ones who possess the attitude of being rock stars and are on their way. Getting the right people on the bus (to quote “Good to Great” by Jim Collins) is the first step to building a great team and great culture.
4. Celebrate each individual
A team is to be celebrated but every team is a collection of great people. These individuals also deserve a celebration for the unique input they bring to the team, and in working together; a culture should encourage an appreciation for one another. Working as a team involves genuine engagement and collaboration with others and acknowledging the uniqueness of individuals needs to be balanced with how best to work effectively together to achieve business success.
5. Involve the team in achievements
Business achievements should be celebrated with all the team. Your team is working hard to achieve success for an organization. Their passion for the process will continue as long as they sense progress. To know that their work is leading to results, and to see the company involve them in celebrating those results is energizing and validating.