How to build a team

1.   Select patiently.

A thorough selection process for picking your team members has greater long-term benefits, even if this means you spend more time recruiting than you’d like to. Hiring someone just to have bodies in the room can harm your team. Companies that do this wind up becoming a revolving door, whether it’s because prospective employees see the role as a temporary landing pad and are less interested in learning, or because you decide later on that they aren’t the right fit. This wind’s up costing you more money in the long run. Investing your time and money in people who truly specialize in the role your company needs will have immense payoffs later.

2.   Understand the strengths of each individual

It’s likely that your new employees will have come from a variety of backgrounds. They'll have different personalities and therefore different ideas about how to do their jobs. If you’re a manager, it’s important to recognize this because having a deep understanding of people is worth its weight in gold. If you can enable each employee to channel their strengths and shine in a way that benefits your business, then you’re on the right track.

Here are some tips on turning a group of individuals into a cohesive successful team that will help your business reach its full potential.

3.   Explain your business vision

Start by setting the scene for your employees. Let them know what they're aiming for and help them to understand the goals of your company.

• Talk about the culture you want to build
  Plant the seeds of your business culture in your workers' minds so it grows and flourishes. Get them excited about being part of the team and the environment.
• Describe your future plans
  Create a vision of where your team should be, six months, a year and two years from now. Use your accounting software to draw up realistic financial forecasts and share these with your employees.
• Explain the environment of customers, prospects and partners
  Use diagrams if necessary to show the interaction between all the people around your company.
• Use 'we' instead of 'I' when talking about your business

It's a common startup mistake to associate yourself with your business, but if you want your employees to feel part of a team then you'll need to include them too.

These will help your employees feel settled and give them a feeling for the situation in which they're working. Once that's done, you can start to bring out the best in them.

4.   Get your employees involved

It's important to quickly get your employees involved in the day-to-day running of your business. Keep them active and use their strengths to help them integrate and develop.

• Give them tasks right away: On the first day, your new employees should already be doing useful work. Get them engaged right from the start.
• Challenge them: Help your employees to push themselves. Use time lines or specific goals (with their input) for them to strive for.
• Acknowledge their successes: Use the carrot, not just the stick. Always reward success with praise.
• Mentor your new hires: Partner your new employees with someone senior on the team. The more mentoring you do, the faster your team will take shape.

Explain to your employees that the more effort they put in, the quicker the company will grow and the better their rewards will be. This could be in terms of promotion, salary and benefits.

5.   Let your team know that you value them

This is important and quite straightforward. You simply have to take an interest in your staff.

• Show them you care: Learn about things like their family, personal life or hobbies.
• Focus on personal growth: Think about enhancing your employees' skill-sets and management skills. Know their career goals and help them get there.
• Invest in your employees: Give them the support and tools they need to be successful. This could include things like a healthy working environment, a supportive team or the right software or technical equipment.
• Celebrate the little victories!: Reward every success, no matter how small it might seem. The goodwill generated will pay you back many times over.
• Be positive and stay positive: Don't lose your cool or lose control, as that will set a bad impression and affect morale.

6.   Identify problems early

You may have people who are having (or causing) problems in your organization. The reasons for this might include issues with their home life, financial problems, or other personal hardships.

In this situation you must tread carefully and follow all local laws, especially those relating to privacy and employment rights. Seek professional advice if necessary.

Sometimes people just won't fit into your culture, which is again why making the right employee choice is so important. Firing people should be a last resort if you've tried every other option including third-party mediation services and verbal and written warnings. Be sure to follow local legislation if you're forced to take this option.

7.   Celebrate successes and failures.

Celebrating your successes and milestones also brings your team together and allows everyone to see that when they work together, great things can happen. If someone does a great job at something, give them a shout out in front of the rest of the team so that every effort is seen and appreciated. This also helps each person to feel visible and that what they’re doing has an impact.

In contrast, if your team fails at something, come together to redirect your efforts or turn it into something positive. Don’t throw anyone under the bus or turn a damage-control discussion into a blame game. This never helps anybody. Instead, give your team equal responsibility to put your heads together and figure out the next steps or pivots.

8.   Use your people skills to build your team

For your team to thrive you must be approachable, friendly, authoritative and responsible.

You may need training to help you become a better manager and there's no shame in that. Running a business is a learning process – and just like your employees, you can learn and improve.

After all, the better you are at managing people, the better your team will perform and the faster your business will grow.