Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Transform Your Company One Team at a Time

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Transform Your Company One Team at a Time I see it everywhere. Companies hire people to perform certain roles and then fail to support them in those roles. They don’t share their vision for the business and restrict employee involvement in it. This behavior creates a loosely connected team with members who have no vested interest in the company and wont stick around for the long haul. Wouldn’t it be terrific if you could create a culture of contribution, and be able to positively leverage your staff as an extension of your organization? I asked Dr. Maryann Baumgarten, the president and CEO of transformation training and coaching firm LitUp Leadership, about how managers and owners can build more engaged and productive workforces. Heres her advice on how to move your culture needle one team at a time. Lead With Purpose Nietzsche said, “He who has a why can endure any how.” When was the last time you articulated your purpose? Why are you in business? What are you aiming to accomplish as an individual, as a team, as a company? Why does it matter? Purpose creates a single point of focus for the whole team. Not only will you approach your own work with more passion, but each team member will feel empowered and connected to the company’s success. Communicate your why regularly by working it into meetings, marketing materials and even performance reviews to make it a living, breathing force. Build A Sense Of Belonging Sports teams have colors, names and logos so fans can easily relate to and internalize them. Making the sense of belonging more explicit in your team will increase each member’s sense of peace, camaraderie and connection, which, in turn, will drive loyalty and productivity. Have you considered a team name? Rituals, events and other opportunities to bring the team together also can help create a secure foundation. For more of Maryanns tips, head over to the full post at the AMEX Open Forum.