They say teamwork makes the dream work and they're not wrong (whoever "they" are). When you're the one in charge, you want to be sure you're hiring the best people for your team and then succeeding in bringing out their best! After all, excellent teamwork is what truly makes businesses thrive. Luckily, we've got the tips to do just that.
If you're the owner of a law firm, keep reading--and don't forget to register for PBI's upcoming course "Hire, Acquire, Inspire - Self-Employed to Law Firm Owner" on August 9th. This CLE will teach you how to build a law firm with a culture of inspiring one another and ultimately provide the best atmosphere for clients and attorneys, alike. Don't miss it!
Experience matters, but so do many other qualities. Finding the right fit for your team can be a difficult balancing act. While it's easy to point to the hire with the most experience, there are many other factors to take into account. A young hire could be lacking in experience, but make up for it in adaptability and a willingness to learn.
Pay careful attention during the interview process and observe what other skills they bring to the table. Are they able to communicate and market themselves effectively? Do they possess ambition and a goal-oriented mindset? What about a congenial personality and the ability to get along well with others? All of these qualities can mean they'll be a powerful addition to your firm.
Consider your team's current strengths and weaknesses alongside the qualities of each candidate to determine the best fit.
Celebrate strengths and ideas. Everyone brings value to the table. Your team should feel a sense of appreciation and respect for what they do. Have them play to their strengths and give them the tools they need to succeed. Encourage cooperation among team members by sharing information and keeping an open mind towards new ideas and suggestions.
Every person on your team should feel comfortable in making their voice heard. Celebrating strengths and ideas will make for a more positive environment and happier employees in the long run.
Comparison is the thief of joy. To go hand in hand with the previous point, don't ever compare employees. In fact, refrain from comparisons in general. It's easy to eye your competition, witness their success, and feel like you're falling behind. Keep in mind that humans tend to flaunt their success and conceal their struggles, especially when it comes to their online presence. You never know what difficulties others are facing. While you may struggle in one realm of business, you could be greatly succeeding in another. Stay far away from comparing yourself to others and focus on your own progress.
The same goes for your employees. Do not ever pick favorites among them. Twisting their efforts into some kind of competition will only give root to bitter feelings and lower morale. Make sure everyone receives equal treatment and feels respected.
Create opportunities to bond. If you take the time to foster connections among your team, it may improve their overall work performance. They will care more about one another and work to support each other. Even if they're struggling, they'll know they have a team backing them. It will drive their loyalty, motivation to succeed, and culminate in higher morale and satisfaction with their work life.
So don't be afraid to host the occasional icebreaker party, trivia contest, or team-building activity! A little fun will do everyone some good. And if you're team is solely remote, have no fear. You can always get creative over Zoom.
Trust in your team. Your work environment is built on the foundation of trust. If you can't trust one another, the dream (team) is dead. It's on you to set the status quo by showing that your team can trust you--but how can you show this in your actions?
Avoid micromanagement and give them room to grow. Don't overwhelm your team with a constant bombardment of tasks and don't hover over their shoulders while you wait for them to finish. Take a deep breath, acknowledge that they are capable, and sit back so they have the chance to prove themselves. Check in every so often and reassure them that you're available if they have any questions or need assistance.
Make sure to prioritize transparency as well. If the company is going through a time of change, keep them in the loop. Just like respect, trust is earned.
Be a strong, effective leader. All of this starts and ends with you. It's your job to define everyone's roles, keep them on track, and ensure them of their value. Keep the lines of communication open, listen to feedback, and seek to keep harmony among your team members. Above all, never lose sight of your goals and keep striving towards progress.
Your leadership will set the standard and make a huge difference in the long run. After all, a rockstar team can't exist without a rockstar leader.
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