One of the biggest mistakes that I made as an early manager was pushing my team toward corporate and office goals without ever asking them what their individual goals and aspirations were. Â How did that system turn out? Â I almost got fired. Â Things changed when I decided to help my team work for their goals instead of mine.
This is an overlooked management area in a small business. Â Don’t fall under the mistaken impression that a paycheck is all the motivation an employee should or does need. Â If you want to truly motivate your team, then find out what gets them coming to work beyond the paycheck. Â Find out what their goals are and coach them to get there.
How can you push your team towards their goals better? Â Here are three simple tips:
1. Start pushing them to set goals. Â These goals could be personal, professional, growth based, etc. Â This is just a matter of you sitting down and asking your team what they want to accomplish in their lives and what would make them feel more fulfilled.
2. Connect with your team. Â If you want to know what your team needs then connect with them. Â Take them out for lunch or coffee. Â Have your team over to your house. Â Take them bowling or for a beer. Â Here’s the important part. Â While you are doing these things, talk to your team about their life.
3. Coach your team. Â Don’t just manage them. Â Treat your team like champions and coach them to a high standard. Â Everyone needs a coach. Â You need someone to bring out the best in you and your team does too. Â The type of coaching I am talking about is more John Wooden and less Bobby Knight.
Maybe you aren’t sure where to start with this process of helping your team work for their goals. Â Here are a few questions to help you assess where you are at.
- Do you know what your team’s goals are? Personally or professionally? Â Have you asked?
- In what areas does your team want to grow professionally?
- How often do you coach your team? Â In what ways could you improve this process?
- When was the last time you took your team out and connected with them?
- What would more awareness in the area of goals do for you and for your team?
The answers to these questions will give you an idea of where to start. Â The great thing that I found is that when I work hard for my team and push them to be the best they can be, they, in turn, work hard to help me be the best that I can be.