Motivation - Dont Make Your Team Uncomfortable

The people in your team may feel a bit uncomfortable when you sit down and spend time with them, particularly if they're not used to it. They might not be used to you doing it or perhaps a previous manager didn't do it. It's often the case that people are uncomfortable because they associate their manager sitting down with them as a prelude to a reprimand.

As Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson say in their book 'The One Minute Manager' - "Catch people doing something right" Too many managers think that their job is to - "catch people doing something wrong."

Many old style managers believed that their job was to check up on what their people were doing and "sort things" as required. Many employees today still feel that's still the situation. If a manager comes close to you then they're checking up. If you've got that culture amongst your team members, then you need to change it.

Think of it this way - are you the kind of manager who spends time with your team to find out what they're doing or to find out how they're doing. Make sure it's the latter.

Some of your people may even be a bit scared of you particularly when they first join the team. You may believe that - "you're much too nice a person for anybody to be scared of little old you" - however I used to believe that too.

One day I was discussing a new salesman with John, one of the more experienced guys. "Young Patrick's scared of you" he said. "Don't be ridiculous" was my reply, "What have I ever done to make him scared of me, I'm always really nice to him." - "Well he is scared of you and just wants to please you" said John.

This was something that really made me think because there was no way I wanted any of my team to be scared of me. Now that I was aware of it I took more care in my dealing with Patrick and our working relationship worked out okay.

So always be aware of the impact you're having on your people; you may think that you're the nicest most reasonable person in the world but how do they see it. Sadly, there are some managers who quite like the fact that their people are a bit scared of them and they see it as a positive situation. These are also the managers who spend a lot of time recruiting new people.

I can remember times when I've taken over a new team. I've had many strange looks and defensive body language when I've stopped to have a chat with some of the team. Some field sales people would get extremely uncomfortable when I told them I'd be spending some time with them visiting customers. However, I always knew that I was getting it right when at later date a salesman would ask - "When are you coming out with me again Alan to see some customers."

There's always going to be members of your team who are really keen to spend time with you and others who are less so. However, you must spend time with everyone - more with some and less with others. If you do it right, then your people will start to get used to it and start to see the benefits to themselves.

Discover how you can generate more business by motivating your team! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales by Motivating Your Team" This book is packed with practical things you can do to get the best out of your people . Visit http://www.howtogetmoresales.com

---

How to Align Your Team through Change

Eight Principles for Purposeful AlignmentEffective teamwork requires individual members of... Read More

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of... Read More

Top Ten Things About Team Building

People who lead the best teams realise early on that... Read More

A Team That Gleamed

Too many techies get a bad rap for lacking teamwork... Read More

Staying Informed Key For Your Team

We exist in such a rapidly-changing environment. Technology is moving... Read More

Presenteeism - present in body absent in productivity

Presenteeism is alive and 'not well' in many businesses today.... Read More

How To Encourage Ideas From Your Team At Meetings

You're at a meeting with key staff. You want some... Read More

Building High Performing Teams: Putting the I Back in Teamwork

Ever watched a really brilliant idea meet with resistance and... Read More

Build a Great Team - Ten Easy Ways to Start!

It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More

Raising Issues In Your Group or Offline

In a recent group coaching session, a client mentioned that... Read More

Leadership Quality Through Kindness

In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More

Team Building Part 2: Honesty is the Key!

The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More

Team Work

So much has been written on this subject; Team Work,... Read More

Motivating Your Employees

CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE: Create a climate where others find... Read More

Workplace Fitness: Tongue-In-Cheek

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Current English, to speak... Read More

Leadership ? Do The Simple But Important Things

Why do we human beings complicate things? Is it that... Read More

Top Ten Creative Excursions for Building Effective Teams

The ability to build effective teams is a must for... Read More

Effective Team Building For Organizational Success

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common... Read More

Franchisor Award Programs; Ideas and Innovation

Franchisors should also be heavy on the award side of... Read More

How Does Personal Development Help in Business?

Teams run most businesses and teams work best if each... Read More

Checklist for High Performing Teams

Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More

4 Tips for Keeping a Team Motivated

Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More

The 3 Secrets of Team Motivation

Are workers telling the truth when they say they are... Read More

Franchisee Relations and Team Work

Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More

Consensus: The Right Team Decision Strategy?

Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More

The 5 Bes of Motivation

It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More

Team Communication Critical To Success

I'm often asked, "Why is my team always fighting fires... Read More

High Performing Teams: 10 Things You Want To Know About Building A High Performing Team

"Conflict becomes politics, commitment becomes 'Only if it's in my... Read More

Joy and Laughter in the Workplace: Lessons From the Land of OZ

Turbulent TwistersYou've read about it in the headlines and experienced... Read More

Creating Unity In Your Company

The other day I got a call from a friend... Read More

Putting the I in Team

This sports cliche is a memorable phrase that reminds people... Read More

Cross-Cultural Communication: Grin and Jump In!

Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those... Read More

Motivate People with Feedback

Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More