Building Team Members Self-Esteem

Topic for this week's blog February 7, 2010

Building Team Members Self-Esteem

The ability to identify a potential diamond in the rough --a team member who has the ability to take on more responsibility and lead others-- is essential in the encouragement process. It is vital to have a leader who can see talent in an individual, communicate the positives, and enable the team member to realize his or her own potential. In order to do this, the leader needs to take the time to get to know what each individual team members goals and passions are.

Just being available and attentive is a great way to use listening skills as a management tool. I have personally witnessed team members come in, talk for 15 minutes, and leave having solved their own problem entirely by themselves. When this happens, they often come away with great admiration and appreciation for their leader.

Effective leaders understand what motivates their team members to feel like:

1) There is mutual respect and trust

2) There is open two-way communication

3) That their opinions are respected and considered

4) That their ideas are recognized and rewarded

5) Specific goals and clear direction is provided

6) Leaders care and are available when support is needed

7) They are connected with and belong to a community with common goals and concerns

Effective managers realize the effort and contribution of their team members. They know that each and every team member wants to feel important and that they count to the team's overall success.

When encouragement is a daily part of supervision, less time is needed pointing out mistakes and team members imperfections. Mistakes are recognized and discussed, but what is learned from the experience is what's important and emphasized. It's a learning experience for the team members.

Please share your thoughts, ideas and comments; everyone can benefit from them.