You don’t have to “crack the whip” to keep your team motivated during the summer, says Simon Reilly, founder of Leading Advisor Inc., in Parksville, B.C. But that doesn’t mean you should loosen the reins too much, either.
“Part of the advisor’s job is to keep his or her staff inspired,” Reilly says. “That means letting them in on your vision but also understanding what their goals are, too.”
You shouldn’t underestimate the effect a positive work atmosphere can have toward ensuring productivity stays high, even during the sticky summer months.
How you choose to create a positive environment is up to you. Reilly offers some tips to help you ensure your team members stay motivated and avoid the summertime blues:
> Practice what you preach
As the leader of your team, you set the tone for the standard of productivity you expect from your staff. So, expect the attitude and habits you demonstrate during the summer to be echoed by your team members.
For example, if you adopt a blasé attitude and start coming in late and leaving early, you are indirectly telling your staff that this is acceptable behavior.
“Hold yourself accountable to the same standards as everyone else,” Reilly says.
> Acknowledge successes
When you evaluate your annual plan, note the positive contributions made by individual team members, Reilly says. And be sure to thank them for their efforts.
You might choose to offer a nominal reward for team members’ hard work, such as a gift certificate from a favourite restaurant or tickets to a game or a show. This kind of gesture will not only help lift your staff’s spirits in the short term, but also keep them motivated down the line.
As well, consider booking some time to complete a review of your staff job descriptions to make sure everyone is working toward the same goals.
> Organize daily huddles
Another way to make sure your staff stays sharp during the summer is to have a quick 15-minute meeting each morning in which everyone shares what he or she is working on.
This type of meeting has numerous benefits, Reilly says. In particular, it acts as a good forum for intra-staff communication and collaboration, which many staff find rewarding.
As well, these meetings can act as feedback sessions, in which team members can share any obstacles and help in making decisions on how to run a smoother operation. For example, your staff might need more training to keep up to speed on the new CRM-2 guidelines.
Having a little team spirit never hurt either, says Reilly.
> Give time to breathe
Summer offers a good opportunity to give your staff time to catch up on any files they might have neglected during the busy spring period.
“Team members relish the time when the leader lets them catch up on filing, reports and client contacts,” says Joanne Ferguson, president of Advisor Pathways Inc., in Toronto.
“Often, the summer can be one of the most productive times because it is uninterrupted and staff can focus.”
This is the second instalment in a three-part series on succeeding during the summer.
Next week: Running a staff retreat.