Valuing People and Team Building

How do we Value People? Are we all capable of valuing people and building teams?

These are complex questions and are often answered with a positive response, as we all want to think that we do the best job possible. Reflective practice is a key component in being able to critically analyze your actions which then delves into your inner values and belief systems which influence what you do.

What does reflective practice for leaders look like in action?

Valuing people and building teams needs a leader that puts others before themselves and letting go of their ego is a crucial component of achieving this and treating people as valued human beings. An example of this is when a person does not really listen to you and ends up talking about themselves, this tells the person who is speaking that what they have to say is not that important.

Building trust and respect are the building blocks of creating a cohesive team, and trust and respect come in many different configurations.

• Recognizing the capabilities of each team members
• Developing team members skills
•  Supporting the team members rights, independence, choice, and inclusion

This in turn facilitates enrichment of their professional and human qualities. When a person feels valued, they are open to change, they are loyal, resilient, and they show compassion and humility. Leadership is about making the team look good and that this lasts even when you the  leader are not there, and  this will be shown by the team making some decisions without your input and knowing that you will all be aligned in critical thinking, problem solving and decision making without fear of reprisals.

How does a person know if they are a valued member of the team?

When Positive interactions with colleagues happen on a regular basis and others value your support, receiving positive feedback and being listened to when you talk. Autonomy or Agency is a freedom to be creative and it is a sign of trust and confidence.

As a leader you need to be being genuinely interested in your people and providing regular and constructive feedback is a sign that you are investing in them.

When a team feels valued, it reduces stress, sick leave, improves listening skills, a reduction in team clichés and spreading of rumours, improved productivity and a generally happier workplace/team environment.

We all want to perform meaningful work, collaborate in a community of excellence and shared values, therefore ensuring the well being of your team is the correct path to achieving these goals.