Do you want to hear more ideas from your subordinates? Then maybe it is time to manage them in a more participatory way. Allow the team to make decisions, with or without you. Encourage everyone to use their individual talents to the team’s advantage. Try to make them feel responsible for all decisions which are taken. In other words, the effectiveness and functionality of your team need not depend only on your knowledge; the team must be able to make decisions even when you are not present. The business2community.com website offers the following tips on how to foster a participatory spirit in your team.
Work together
1. Ask regularly for suggestions and proposals on what could be done better. Ask about the three stupidest things you and your team are doing and thus wasting time. Or ask to what you should be devoting more time and energy.
2. Acknowledge intelligent failure rather than punish it.
3. Transform team meetings into an opportunity to discuss various ideas and issues. Make them an open forum to talk about events and the latest developments in your organisation and industry.
4. Provide feedback and follow-up on all suggestions, since that will foster a real sense of collaboration, trust and mutual respect.
Setting goals together
Allow your team members to set up their own goals. Let them experience accountability for their decisions. Of course, you have to give them some guidance. Call a team meeting at which you will focus on ensuring the whole team understands the strategic goals and initiatives of the company as a whole. If nothing like that exists, you should create it.
Then ask your team to agree on approximately five metrics that will drive you all towards your common vision. These might include the number of new clients, customer retention rate or number of sales meetings. Set targets for each metric, both for the team and for individuals.
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