How to improve team performance

Having a team that works well together and who are all on the same page is key for any employer. However, new data is showing how only 14% of managers claim they are confident that their employees understand their company’s strategy, goals, and direction.  

Such a lack of clarity and understanding can be caused by a team not working well together. Problems can arise by poor management or a lack of communication, which are all relatively easy to fix.

If you want to better your working dynamic with your colleagues then read on to find Myles Wellbeing’s top tips on improving team performance. 

1. Good Management 

Data from TeamStage shows how managers are responsible for 70% of deviations in team engagement. So, it’s clear that good management is key for a good team performance.

Marcus Axelson, Head of Sales at Myles Wellbeing, advocates the importance of the employers role. He detailed how, “As employers, it's all about actively coaching” and how, from a sales perspective, "watching and listening to what your team is doing is of great value". 

He added, “Giving employees praise on what was done well and providing tips on how they could have done better, to get the desired outcome, is so important. Employees will feel listened to and valued.”

Such advice has been backed up by the data released from TeamStage which also showed how recognising quality work and achievements of workgroups increases profits by 29%!

2. Collaboration 

Working together and collaborating vastly improves team performance. In a team, you’ve probably heard the saying that “none of us are as smart as of us" and although it’s a cliche, it’s true.

Every member of a team has their role to play and by combining your efforts, your work team can really improve its performance. Similarly, if some members of your team are doing well, it’s so important that your team collaborate to gain knowledge from their peers and improve their own performance.

Work apps such as Slack are really useful for collaborative projects, especially if your work team works from home. On such apps, you can throw a question out on the chat and all of your teammates will respond with their ideas. Not only will you get responses that you didn't think of, but you also feel valued as your teammates have taken the time to think about your question and provide their own opinion.

You can also collaborate with your team outside of the office by using other apps such as our own Myles Wellbeing app. Friendly competition never hurt anyone, and an app which promotes physical activity in doing so, is even better. With a leaderboard, you can compete with your work friends in a fun and (quite literally) rewarding way, allowing you to find your top three athletes in your workplace whilst ensuring you also reward the most improved employees, not just the fittest.

3. Build empathetic bonds

Toby Cannon, CEO and co-founder of Myles Wellbeing, forwards just how important it is to build bonds which are empathetic with your team. He explained, “If a team know and understand each other they're more likely to support each other, as well as feeling more comfortable to challenge ideas”. 

Data shows how team performance is best among teams that communicate in informal situations, and a great way to communicate informally is through work socials. If you get to know your colleagues on a deeper level, and more importantly, outside of work, you will find that you will have a better bond with them. This bond will be empathetic as you will genuinely care about what is going on in their life as they will be more than just a colleague.

4. Good communication 

Studies have shown how effective communication generates 4.5 times higher talent retention. This higher productivity is because your team is all on the same page and so share the same goals.

Communicating with your team so that they all have the same goals, both short term and long term, is beneficial as every team player will always have something to focus on. 

Every action that any employee will therefore take within your business will be to achieve a common goal within the company. Achieving this goal will also help motivate other employees as actions with a purpose always have a bigger impact.

5. The working environment 

A good working environment is one in which an employer has carefully thought about the wellbeing of their employees. Essentially, does their employees' work setting accommodate all of their needs?

Such an environment is so vital because research from the UK Mental Health charity Mind has shown how higher wellbeing measures at work equals higher productivity and happier staff, and both are equally important for improving team performance!

Higher wellbeing measures also means that employees will work in an environment in which they feel comfortable to ask questions. This is so important for any business to grow as often questions highlight a problem, which can also have an easy solution.