At first glance, empowering individual employees and focusing on teamwork may seem counterintuitive. One seeks to support the individual, while the other focuses on putting the team ahead of individual needs. When small businesses put both theories to work however, they may find that empowering individuals actually improves the performance of the entire team.
Set the Stage
Empowering employees and building teams involves providing clear directives as they relate to each individual’s role within the small business environment. Creating a company mission statement can act as a guide for the business and each employee. This helps align individual and team goals with the intent of the business and keeps everyone working towards the same goals. Setting standards in place for each position within the company also provides guidance related to expectations for each employee.
Set Goals
Setting individual goals is an important part of empowering employees to take responsibility for their own work and career development. Goals should align with the objectives of the team and the business as a whole. Personal goals provide motivation for each employee to strive for continual improvement and continually meet or exceed expectations. When setting goals, managers and supervisors should make sure goals remain achievable and realistic to help empower employees to succeed.
Encourage Teamwork
Encouraging active participation in the success of the team represents one of the main objectives of empowering each employee. Empowered employees take responsibility for their job duties and seek to contribute to the team in a positive manner. Team building should take place on a regular basis and should seek to encourage communication and trust within the team. Building a cohesive team requires aligning individual goals with team goals.
Evaluate
Keep in mind the need to evaluate individual and team goals and achievements as they relate to the goals and expectations of the company. Conducting regular employee reviews and monitoring team performance helps identify new goals and ensures continual progress. Holding each employee accountable for their own performance and the performance of the team can help create an environment supportive of employee development during the team building process.