How do you build team spirit in your organization? Many leaders/managers
are leaders and managers that lack the ability to build effective and cohesive
organization that works as a team. But how does a manager/leader build team
spirit in his organization?
The first action that he should do is to ask himself these three
questions: “Am I an effective communicator, do I lead by example and the last is, do I prioritize the needs of
my subordinates over my own needs?
On the aspect of being an effective communicator, what does this mean?
This simply means that the leader/manager should allocate time to communicate
with his people and what should he communicate? Every communication that is not
prohibited for his subordinates to know.
For example the mission and
vision of the organization, the policies, objectives and the discipline of the
organization, aside from that the leader/manager should also be able to
communicate the targets and goals that he wants to achieve for his own
department.
On a personal level, if his subordinate would allow it the leader should
know about the family of his subordinates. Thus, the leader will not find it
hard to empathize with his people when the situation calls for it. When you do this you develop the I belong mentality in the minds of your
subordinates.
On the aspect of leading by example, do you always lead the way for your
subordinates and do you walk your talk? For example when you say that your
subordinates need to render overtime work, are you there to render overtime work
as well? Or you simply let them render overtime without you joining them.
On the aspect of prioritizing the needs of your subordinates over your
own needs. For example during office parties or office gatherings/meetings
wherein there’s a food to be shared/served. Who gets to eat first? It’s always
the boss! He gets the first crack at the food and the subordinates and the
lower ranked employees would normally come-in next after the boss.
The boss should reverse this kind of culture if he wants to develop team
spirit in his organization. Therefore instead of him having the first crack at
the food it should now be the subordinates and the other lower ranked employees
who will eat first.
What message are you sending to your subordinates by doing this? You simply are indirectly telling them that
you value them dearly and that their need is more important for you than
your own need. So you can just imagine
the team spirit and commitment that you’ll be creating in the minds and hearts
of your subordinates. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
