How to Build a Team That Grows Together: Simple Steps for Managers

Unite Your Team for Growth

Create a cohesive, family-like team with simple, strengths-based steps.

Why Building a Team That Grows Together Matters

A team that grows together is engaged, supportive, and resilient, feeling like a family rather than just coworkers. By leveraging individual strengths, setting shared goals, and fostering continuous support, managers can boost collaboration and morale. A Gallup study shows employees using strengths daily are 12.5% more productive and 6 times more engaged. At Strengthify, our team development workshops help managers build cohesive teams. For example, a manager at a University used strengths to unite her team during a project, improving morale. Our insights on team engagement show this prevents disengagement, unlike fragmented teams. The strengths-based alignment reduces turnover and enhances efficiency, addressing issues like project delays.

Simple Steps to Build a Team That Grows Together

Here are four actionable steps to foster team unity and growth:

1. Identify and Leverage Individual Strengths

Uncovering and utilising team members’ strengths builds confidence and cohesion. Here’s how:

• Use assessments: Implement CliftonStrengths assessments to identify talents like Empathy or Strategic Thinking.
• Hold open discussions: Ask, “What do you feel you do best?” to encourage self-awareness.
• Acknowledge contributions: Say, “Your Positivity lifted our team!” to reinforce strengths.

A manager in a Healthcare team used our Strengthify framework and CliftonStrengths Assessment to highlight a team member’s Positivity, uniting the team during a campaign. A Harvard Business Review article notes that strengths-focused teams are 15% more collaborative. Try this: Schedule a 10-minute strengths discussion with a team member this week.

2. Set Shared, Meaningful Goals

Shared goals align teams and spark excitement. Here’s how:

• Co-create goals: Ask, “What do we want to achieve together?” to foster ownership.
• Tie to values: Connect goals to team purpose, like, “This strengthens our community impact.”
• Align with strengths: Use CliftonStrengths to assign roles that energise suggested through a role alignment strategy.

A leader at a College set a shared goal during a curriculum update, boosting engagement by 20%. Our insights on team development highlight goal alignment for unity. Try this: Hold a 15-minute team meeting to brainstorm one shared goal.

3. Foster Ongoing Support Through Regular Check-Ins

Regular check-ins sustain momentum and build trust. Here’s how:

• Schedule one-on-ones: Hold 10-minute monthly chats to ask, “How can I support you?”
• Provide continuous feedback: Discuss progress and strengths, like, “Your Adaptability is key here,”.
• Offer resources: Provide coaching or Strengthify’s department sessions to reinforce growth.

A manager at an NHS Trust used check-ins during a staffing shortage, maintaining cohesion. A Forbes study shows check-ins boost engagement by 25%. Try this: Schedule a one-on-one this week to discuss goals and support needs.

4. Cultivate a Supportive, Strengths-Based Culture

A family-like culture encourages collaboration and resilience. Here’s how:

• Promote collaboration: Pair team members on tasks to build bonds.
• Create safe spaces: Set rules for open dialogue, per our insights on psychological safety.
• Celebrate successes: Host team lunches or shout-outs, like, “We nailed this together!”.

A University Finance team saw 30% stronger bonds after strengths-based workshops, per Strengthify’s success stories. Try this: Organise a team coffee break to share successes this month.

Overcoming Challenges to Team Growth

Building a cohesive team faces obstacles. Here’s how to address them:

• Lack of strengths awareness: Use CliftonStrengths or Strengthify workshops to uncover talents, as per our Strengthify framework.
• Resistance to goals: Involve the team in co-creating goals to build buy-in, as in our insights on change.
• Time constraints: Start with short check-ins or one collaborative task, per our insights on team engagement.

Measuring the Impact of Team Growth

Track these key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge success:

• Engagement scores: Use surveys via Google Forms to measure morale.
• Collaboration metrics: Track joint project completions or team feedback.
• Retention rates: Monitor turnover as a sign of unity.

A Health & Social Care team reported 25% higher engagement after strengths-based check-ins, per Strengthify’s success stories. A Gallup report shows cohesive teams reduce turnover by 14%. Try this: Survey engagement one month after implementing a step.

FAQs: Building a Team That Grows Together

What makes a team grow together?

Strengths, shared goals, and support, per Strengthify’s success stories.

How do I unite my team?

Identify strengths, set goals, check in, and foster culture with Strengthify’s workshops.

How do strengths help team growth? 

They boost engagement and collaboration, per CliftonStrengths.

What if my team lacks connection?

Promote collaboration and safe spaces, per our insights on psychological safety.

How do I sustain team growth?

Use check-ins and strengths-based culture, via Strengthify’s sessions.

Grow Your Team Today

Build a team that grows together by trying a strengths discussion or goal-setting session. Explore Strengthify’s Discovery Workshops or team development sessions for lasting impact. Start now—create a team that thrives like family!