Blog

We've probably all heard the phrase that "Teamwork makes the dream work" Which is true but a longer version of this common quote says that "Teamwork makes the dream work"... but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team" - John Maxwell. ⁣Do you have what it takes to make your team the dream team? Or are your leadership skills needing a bit of guidance? Keep reading to find out... 

⁣

Success starts with building a solid team; one that not only supports you as the business owner but also one that empowers each other to grow and to fully realize their potential. Your team will and should look to you for guidance and direction, but also for motivation and encouragement - and as a great leader, you need to be ready to nurture their success. ⁣Not sure where to start? Here are some great questions to begin with and to ask yourself regularly in order to stay on track to being an awesome team leader: 

 

- In what specific ways are you showing up for your team? 

 

- Are you showing up for them consistently or only every once and a while, or worse - only when things are going wrong? 

 

- Do you provide them with truly constructive feedback? 

 

- Do they feel that they can come to you with any questions? 

 

- Do you actively encourage them to seek out opportunities for their personal and professional growth? (These could include things like taking additional courses and designations that would benefit their position, taking mental health breaks, encouraging healthy work habits, encouraging them to move into better positions within your company and so on...) 

 

- Have you built an environment where they can collaborate? 

 

- Are you delegating the workload successfully and effectively? More on how to do this here... 

 

- When was the last time you thanked them or showed your gratitude?⁣ Is there a way you could do this more regularly? 

 

- Have you created a healthy workplace culture and environment? More on those topics here and here respectively... 

 

- Do you have a recurring meeting or space where you and your team can talk through any issues, have general discussions and celebrate team wins? 

 

Creating a strong, healthy and hardworking team takes a lot of cultivating and is an ongoing process that needs to be tended to each day. However, it never needs to feel like an overwhelming experience and once you and your team get into the right flow - it should come to you with ease and begin to create a productive, happy and healthy rhythm that benefits you all! Try implementing one or more of these practices into your workplace environment and get started in finding out how you and your team work best together. Happy leading! 

 

Want to read more small business-related content? Click here to view our Redefining Barter Blog gallery with lots of tips and tricks on a variety of small business content, or follow our Instagram @barterpayniagara! 

⁣