Most people default to the classic when thinking about supporting a team: offering a paycheck and providing a couple of additional benefits. However, there’s much more to support than these trifles. Truly supporting a team means creating an environment where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally.
A hefty paycheck may be the most general expectation, but it’s by no means the deciding factor. Namely, it’s the invisible factors that boost team performance, morale, and satisfaction.
In other words, supporting a team in meaningful ways includes offering advanced tools, ensuring their well-being, and encouraging their growth both inside and outside of the workplace.
Fostering Clear Communication
For teams to function smoothly, it’s necessary to foster clear communication. Misunderstandings, lack of direction, and confusion – all of which are typical for teams that communicate poorly – lead to unnecessary frustration, decreased productivity, and increased turnover rates.
While this may sound logical, the truth is that many businesses face challenges when it comes to communication, especially when scaling up. This, however, shouldn’t serve as an excuse. In fact, the more complex a company’s structure, the more important it becomes to have strong communication practices in place.
An illustrative example is seen in the case of Slack Technologies. The brand has grown to become one of the most widely-used communication platforms for teams. Slack was founded on the idea of streamlining communication to avoid endless email threads. Nowadays, it is considered as a prime example of fostering clear communication through a centralized platform that offers real-time messaging, transparent communication channels, and various project management tools.
“Communication is not just about sending messages,” says Stewart Butterfield, CEO of Slack Technologies. “It’s about ensuring that messages are understood and that everyone has the right context and tools to contribute effectively.”
A Continual Cycle of Growth and Motivation
Next on, there’s regular feedback to keep in mind. While it may seem natural that feedback can be deployed to motivate employees, many businesses neglect the practice. Scilicet, some businesses take it for granted that employees will simply know when they’re doing something right or wrong. In reality, employees need feedback to better understand their performance.
As for offering regular feedback, it’s important to make it constructive and actionable. The focus should not be solely on pointing out weaknesses but, rather, on developing strengths.
Google is a good example of how feedback drives growth and motivation. The brand’s gThankYou program allows employees to express gratitude for their colleagues. The program has two purposes: to allow employees to express gratitude for their colleagues and to create opportunities for feedback.
Says Laszlo Bock, former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google: “We have this idea of giving feedback in a positive, encouraging way that makes employees feel valued and motivated to keep growing. People want to know how they’re doing. It’s about creating a culture of growth, not just performance reviews.”
Employees who know where they stand and how they can improve are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. Regular feedback can also build a sense of purpose, helping employees see how their contributions are helping the company achieve its goals.
Growing the Team Together
Another notable perk is providing ongoing education. This doesn’t imply merely technical training; instead, it should be observed as a commitment to employees’ personal and professional growth. Employees want to feel they’re advancing and staying relevant in their field. Offering opportunities for growth shows that a business is invested in employees’ future.
Take LinkedIn, for example. Its LinkedIn Learning platform provides employees with access to thousands of courses. According to LinkedIn’s Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions, Pat Wadors, “When employees feel like they’re continually learning, they feel like they’re valued and have the opportunity to make an impact.”
Employees who are given the opportunity to develop new skills and grow in their careers are more likely to remain engaged and loyal to the company. Investing in education doesn’t need to be limited to formal courses. It can also include mentorship programs, conferences, industry seminars, and access to books and digital materials.
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
One can’t expect employees to perform well if they’re not feeling well physically. A healthy mind needs a healthy body, and promoting healthy eating habits can significantly impact an individual’s energy levels, mood, and overall productivity.
Aetna, a leading health insurance company, recognizes the link between health and performance. Their Healthy Workplace initiative encourages employees to make healthier food choices in the workplace by offering nutritious snacks and meals, holding wellness seminars, and providing fitness tracking programs. According to Aetna’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Harold Paz, “When people eat better, they perform better. It’s as simple as that.”
Incorporating healthy eating habits is about fostering an environment that encourages employees to take care of their well-being and acknowledges the direct impact that physical health can have on job performance.
A study by Virgin Pulse, a global leader in employee well-being, has found that employees who engage in healthy eating programs are 23% more likely to report higher productivity. Additionally, employees who have access to nutritious food options are 20% less likely to report burnout and fatigue.
The True Value of Supporting a Team
Evidently, supporting a team goes beyond providing a paycheck. It requires leaders to invest in the well-being, growth, and success of their employees. By fostering clear communication, offering regular feedback, providing ongoing education, and promoting healthy eating habits, businesses can create an environment where their teams feel valued and supported.
After all, it’s the intangible benefits – the recognition, growth, and care for well-being – that truly make a difference in how employees feel about their work and employer.
