The Quickest Way to Improve Your Team
If you’re looking for a quick way to improve your team, I have a simple but often-overlooked suggestion.
Stop looking outside of yourself for tools, processes, or complicated team-building practices!
The fastest way to see real change in your team’s performance is through one key behavior: consideration.
Think about it. Teams thrive when members feel respected, valued, and heard.
Why, then, do so many leaders and teams forget how powerful consideration can be? Why don’t they see how much it matters to pay attention to the needs, perspectives, and contributions of others?
That is what this issue is all about, but before reading on, be sure to check out my latest article on the website, where I wrote in greater depth about the power of consideration.
Read The Ultimate Guide to Respect in the Workplace
Shifting Attention to Consideration
Consideration is the foundation of mutual respect and collaboration. When team members know that others are looking out for their well-being, they feel safe sharing ideas, asking for help, and working together more effectively.
The simple act of taking others into account strengthens relationships, boosts morale, and ultimately improves performance.
If you want your team to work better together, foster creativity, and achieve higher levels of productivity, consider the power of consideration.
When we are considerate, a lot of good things happen.
First, communication improves because people feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns, knowing they’ll be heard and respected.
This leads to stronger collaboration, as team members become more willing to support each other and work together toward common goals.
Second, trust deepens. When team members see that their well-being is genuinely valued, it creates a sense of loyalty and commitment to the team. They’re more likely to go the extra mile, share their expertise, and step up when challenges arise.
Third, a culture of accountability emerges. Considerate teams hold each other to high standards but do so with empathy. Feedback is offered constructively, focusing on helping each other grow rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame.
Finally, overall team morale rises. When people feel respected and valued, they’re more engaged, energized, and motivated to do their best work. This creates a ripple effect that leads to better results, higher productivity, and, ultimately, a more successful team.
By shifting your attention to consideration, you can create an environment where respect thrives—and when respect thrives, so does your team.
Shifting Assumptions About Team Building
Many leaders believe that building a team is a once-a-year activity that occurs at an offsite meeting or retreat.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Team building is an ongoing act that requires consideration.
Building a team is an ongoing process that happens in its members' everyday interactions, decisions, and behaviors. It’s not a one-time event or something you can check off a list. Instead, it requires continuous attention, nurturing, and alignment.
If you are not considerate and attentive to your team members’ goals, challenges, and needs, you’ll have a hard time building a team.
Considerate teams consistently offer feedback, support one another through challenges, and celebrate each other’s successes every single day.
So stop looking at team building as an event and start looking at it as an ongoing effort that requires your time and attention.
Shifting Your Actions To Get Better Results
If you want to improve your team quickly, you must take action, but here’s the best part.
It doesn’t take weeks or months to make improvements.
A shift in attention, a moment of active listening, and a genuine focus on others can make an immediate difference.
Here are five steps you can take to be more considerate and quickly improve your team:
Ask Better Questions: Thoughtful, open-ended questions show that you care about your team members' input and encourage deeper thinking. Asking questions like “What do you need to succeed?” or “How can I support you better?” fosters a more collaborative and considerate atmosphere.
Just Listen: Make a conscious effort to fully listen to team members without interrupting or formulating your response. Acknowledge their input before offering your thoughts to show that you value their perspective.
Show Appreciation: A simple "thank you" goes a long way. Recognize your team members' efforts and contributions, no matter how small. Publicly acknowledging hard work boosts morale and demonstrates that you value their contributions.
Respect Boundaries and Workloads: Be mindful of team members' time and personal boundaries. Check in with them before assigning extra tasks, and ensure they can handle them. This consideration shows respect for their well-being and prevents burnout.
Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where team members can share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas without repercussions. Actively invite different perspectives and ensure everyone has a voice in decision-making processes.
These small, considerate actions can quickly strengthen relationships, foster a positive culture, and improve overall performance.
Conclusion
Improving your team doesn’t have to stink of effort.
Focusing on considerate behavior, making subtle shifts in your assumptions, and taking a few simple actions can quickly transform a struggling team.
If you're ready to transform the dynamics of your team and cultivate a more considerate and collaborative environment, schedule a meeting to discuss how we can implement these strategies together.
Here’s to your continued success.
