Tag: Work

How You Can Protect Yourself In The Workplace

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Workplace Discussions. No matter which workplace you’re in, it’s good to know how to protect yourself in necessary. The following contributed post is entitled, How You Can Protect Yourself In The Workplace.

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Whether you have an employment contract or you are considering an ‘at-will’ worker, you need to make sure you know all your rights. They will be different depending on your employment status, however, when it comes to being fired, it is illegal to be fired for reasons such as disability, gender, race, and other types of discrimination, all are forbidden by law.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

How can you protect yourself in the workplace? Let’s have a look below:

Information Is Invaluable

Information is the key when it comes to protecting yourself. If you do find yourself in any sort of employment dispute, you will be thankful for learning the rules and information before you fight your corner. You cannot protect yourself if you don’t know you are in the position to do so. Make sure you read any employee protocols and read the information relevant to yourself such as talking to San Diego Disability Law Group if you are entering the workplace with a disability.

Make Sure you Keep Records

It can be easy to become overwhelmed or tired at work and not have a clear memory of important facts. This is why it is essential for you to keep contemporaneous records. You hold onto any letters, employment handbooks, pay records, employment agreements, and make sure keep a record of any conversations about unfair treatment or disciplinaries. If the conditions and terms of your employment change without justification occur you need to make sure you take action promptly.

Companies will always conduct performance reviews to evaluate employees’ performance and look at their pay and promotion. You need to make sure you have a copy of your written performance review and know how to handle feedback or any disagreements about your performance. If you do have a disagreement with any of the comments that you received, you should ask to insert your notes documenting your disagreement, this can then become an essential part of your performance review and your personnel file.

There is one way of keeping these, however, they need to be clear to see when and where each incident occurred, the parties involved, and any of the details of the incident. You should also show how it was resolved.

Talk To An Employment Lawyer As Soon As You Can

Last but certainly not least, it is essential for you to seek legal advice from an employment attorney as early as possible. They are able to help you assess whether an employer’s conduct constitutes a violation of employment laws and if you can think about legal action. They are able to run through many different options, whether it is to use the company’s internal complaint mechanism or handle things separately.

Many employees may feel as though it is a tough battle when they run into issues with their employer. But that doesn’t need to be the case. If you take the steps above and research properly, then you can rest assured you are handling things properly. Make sure you always look at all your options and get help when you need it.

Keeping A Remote Working Team Productive

Three focuses of my blog are Organizational/Management Discussions, Workplace Discussions and Technology. While remote working has its advantages, it has its host of challenges as well which both management and staff must be cognizant of. The following contributed post is entitled, Keeping A Remote Working Team Productive.

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Remote working has become a lot more popular over the last couple of years. More people than ever before are doing their jobs from the comfort of their home, enabling them to make money without having to leave the house. This offers huge benefits to businesses, but the whole team has to be managed correctly to ensure that productivity doesn’t drop. To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the best ways to ensure that your remote team is able to maintain productivity.

Regular Conversations

Talking to your remote team on a regular basis is crucial if you want to make sure that they are productive. It can be hard to know what people are doing with their time if you don’t talk to them, and this should happen on both a one to one and whole team basis. For example, if one team member is falling behind their peers, you should talk to them over the phone to make sure that they don’t need extra support. It’s always worth keeping in mind that remote work can be more challenging for some.

Setting Targets

Setting targets for your team is incredibly crucial, giving you the chance to make sure that they are doing enough work while they are at home. Targets need to be fair, and you shouldn’t be working to push them up whenever one target is met. Not only will consistent targets help your team to work more effectively, but they will also provide you with the means to improve productivity. It can help to offer your team access to platforms that make it possible for them to track their own targets.

Monitoring Performance

Alongside setting targets for your team members, you also need to be able to monitor their performance without talking to them. While you trust your team, it can be hard to know if they are covering their backs when you talk about their work. There are a lot of tools on the market that enables you to track sales performance metrics, and you need to use this sort of platform to keep your business productive. This can be an easy way to make sure that your overall targets are being met.

Healthy Competition

Finally, as the last idea to consider, it’s time to think about healthy competition within your business. Rewarding those who perform well can be far more effective than punishing those who don’t, and you can always offer rewards to those who perform the best each week or month. This sort of reward doesn’t have to be expensive or grand, but it will help to keep your team working hard. Most people like the idea of outperforming their peers.

Working to keep a remote business productive can be extremely challenging. Of course, alongside these ideas, you also need to make sure that you have a team that is willing to work hard to achieve the goals you set. This will usually get easier and easier as time goes by.

Three Ways to Introduce Lifelong Learning in the Workplace

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Workplace Discussions. The reality of the working world is that your education is ongoing even after you have secured a position. As the persons running the organization, you may have to creatively introduce that concept to your staff. The following guest post is entitled, Three Ways to Introduce Lifelong Learning in the Workplace.

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Albert Einstein once said that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Although this old saying may seem extreme, it does have some truth to it because anyone who is made to one thing repeatedly over the course of their life can drive them insane.

When it comes to choosing a career, most people tend to flock to a field that interests them. If the working conditions are acceptable and the compensation is sufficient, these people can be encouraged to work for their company until the time they reach the retirement age.

However, not everyone is fortunate to be able to climb the corporate ladder after putting in the work. Some are forced to remain in a dead-end job for countless years; stuck to the same desks and doing the same tasks. Their days may feel insignificant because nothing new happens and every day is the same.

Employee growth in the workplace is necessary to keep their minds sharp and ready to face challenges, but the lack of opportunities to grow can make work monotonous. In addition to that, remaining in long-term stagnancy can make work feel unsatisfying, which can lead to unhappy employees.

To make your business a place where your employees can thrive and grow as individuals, introduce them to the path of lifelong learning. This is a form of self-initiated education that aims to not only focus on personal development but also acknowledge that there is something new to be learned every day.

Formal Training and Seminars

Many employees are always eager to learn how they can perform their jobs better. But between working full-time and only having two days to recuperate for the coming week, they may no longer have the time to chase after learning opportunities.

However, as an employer who is interested in having better employees, you can take it upon yourself to make learning opportunities within the workplace. For instance, you can schedule a seminar with a topic that is directly related to your line of work.

If you want to have more credible and adept managers, you can also start leadership coaching to allow them to work on their personal skills. Leaders aren’t born, they are made. Turning your best employees into good leaders through formal training can bring success to your business.

Online Courses

There are multitudes of basic learning materials on the internet that are accessible to everyone who wants to work on their skills. But unfortunately, not all the materials are free of charge. The courses with in-depth and valuable information usually come at a price that is outside most people’s budget.

Money shouldn’t be a hindrance to anyone that wants to pursue lifelong learning, especially not if you can do something about it. As the employer, it may be advantageous for you to invest in your employees’ growth by shouldering the costs of the online courses.

Your employees might be more inclined to devote time to learning when you offer the course for free, or at least, with subsidized fees. The courses don’t have to be the most expensive ones offered online, but they have to provide relevant information that your employees can benefit from.

Brown Bag Lunches

Not all lifelong learning opportunities are done formally. One of the most effective ways to introduce new information or brainstorm ideas for business is to hold brown bag lunches. These are casual learning environments that can cover anything from new trends in the industry to personal finance.

Brown bag lunches are perfect if you want to build a stronger work environment as well. You and your employees can exchange ideas, collaborate on potential projects, or learn new skills over food. It can be held in a restaurant where you buy your employees lunch or a simple get-together in your office pantry.

A great leader is someone who communicates with their team. You can’t be a good employer if you don’t create bonds with your employees because the relationship remains superficial. If you truly want to build a conducive working and learning environment, then you should bridge the gap between you and your employees.

Work shouldn’t just be about money; it should also serve a purpose that gives your employees’ lives meaning. If an employee’s sole motivation to work is to get their salary at the end of the month, then they would have no drive to perform well. But if they see work as an avenue to grow and excel as a people, it might do your business wonders or potentially lead you to success.

Revealed: The Employee Motivation Techniques That Actually Work

Two focuses of my blog are Organizational/Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. No matter what type of organization you’re running, one of your key focuses will be keeping your employees and staff motivated. The following contributed post is entitled, Revealed: The Employee Motivation Techniques That Actually Work.

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When you run a business and employ staff to work for you, you should keep in mind that it’s your job to ensure positive morale in the workplace. Employees don’t just want to get paid for their hard work; they also want to feel motivated and valued.

The trouble is, some employers find it challenging to figure out what they can do to motivate their workers. You’re likely reading this because you want to know the ‘secrets’ of motivating people. Take a look at these techniques for some valuable insight and inspiration:

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Incentivize Employees That Learn New Skills

Let’s face it: the people that work for you are a talented group of individuals. If they weren’t, you wouldn’t have hired them. But what if you’d like your team to learn new skills and become even more valuable and productive to your business?

One interesting technique is to incentivize your employees whenever they gain new skills and qualifications through your company. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a financial reward; it could be time off work or a meal for them and their family that you cover.

Invite Motivational Speakers to Your Premises

You undoubtedly want your team to offer their best work whenever they tackle their daily projects. After a while, employees might feel like going on autopilot and seldom have any interest in offering 100% effort all the time.

Sometimes, it can motivate your team to hear some wise words from a well-known figurehead in your industry. A guest speaker can inspire people and even help them look at their work from a different perspective.

For example, let’s assume you run a digital marketing agency. Your team may feel like every day is the same as the last, and their daily challenges are very monotonous and predictable. Someone like Lance Bachmann, the Digital Lion, can be very inspirational for your team.

Radiate Positivity

Nobody wants to work in an office or some other commercial premises and feel anxious and depressed. Luckily, you have the power to help foster and radiate positivity in the workplace! There are many ways you can make the working environment more positive and energetic.

One example is to create a recreational room in your office area where employees can play games and chill out. It can be a place where people can go whenever they want a break and take their minds off a stressful situation.

Another way to radiate positivity is by making most of your internal communications positive. Be sure to mention employees by name who do a great job or exceeded your expectations on a recent project, for example. It’ll make your team feel more valued.

Encourage Flexible Working

Lastly, if there’s one thing that the current COVID-19 pandemic has taught businesses, it’s that people need flexible working hours. To that end, encourage flexible working practices so employees can manage their work and personal lives more efficiently.

Such an approach ensures staff won’t get stressed out about their home lives, and they can concentrate on doing fantastic work for your business.

How To Be Safer In A Hazardous Workplace

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. In all workplaces, it’s critical to understand how to be safe and to protect your health at all costs. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Be Safer In A Hazardous Workplace.

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Hazardous workplaces can involve many risks and dangers. Whether you work in a manufacturing warehouse or oil well, there will be heightened hazards that could impact you on a daily basis if you are not careful. To reduce the risk of injury and potential threats, it is important to understand how to be safer in the workplace environment. No matter your job, these tips will help you reduce the risk of danger at work.

Via: Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/slippery-signal-sign-wet-yellow-637562/)

Be Alert At All Times

If you work in a hazardous environment, you must be switched on and alert at all times. You cannot walk around haphazardly and not care about warning signs or potential hazards. It could be the case between life or death or a serious injury.

For example, if you were to spill chemicals on your hand at work, it may result in severe burns. Having a hand surgeon can help you maximize your ability and reduce the impact. Our hands are incredibly important and useful. A small injury can cause life-changing damage, so seeking help and recovery is crucial to minimize damage and impact. Maintaining your health and being aware of your surroundings at all times is so crucial to minimize injury.

Involve Yourself In Regular Training

Dangerous workplace environments will often offer regular training. This will either re-evaluate the dangers that already exist or update and educate you on new procedures. If your company offers regular training, always make sure you attend. It is crucial to be updated on workplace dangers to reduce your risk and maintain your health and safety.

If your workplace does not offer regular training, you could ask for it or read through the manuals on a regular basis.

Keep Your Space Clean

A messy workplace is a potential for disaster. Empty the bins regularly and clean those spills as fast as they appear.

Have a working team in place to clean up the messes created from day-to-day activities. The team is useful in helping you identify potential dangers. These include tangled cords, leaking roofs, dysfunctional equipment, and messy floors. While such a team may not be recognized, they play a very important role in any organization.

Use Equipment The Correct Way

Never take shortcuts when you are using tools, and always take the proper precautions. The leading cause of workplace injuries is when workers take a shortcut on the job. Don’t use a tool that has not been specifically designed for the job. Your chance of being injured in the workplace dramatically decreases when you use tools the right way.

You will always be trained on how to use certain tools. If it appears broken or you are unsure of how to use it correctly, always ask. It is not worth risking using a tool if you are unsure of its safety.

To keep yourself safer in a hazardous workplace environment, ensure to use these tips. It could be a matter of life or a serious injury. There will always be dangers, but it is how you handle them that will keep you safe.

3 Ways We Can Strive For Equality In The Workplace

Two focuses of my blog are Organizational and Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. Most workplaces are businesses and organizations with a purpose. Increasing equality in your workplace however may increase your overall efficiency in terms of achieving that purpose. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Ways We Can Strive For Equality In The Workplace.

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For women embarking on a career in the modern world, there is still a battle to fight. But it shouldn’t be like this across-the-board. Thankfully, there are many businesses that are striving for equality in the workplace. But what are companies doing to promote equality in the work environment?

Changing the Culture of the Company
Changing the culture of an organization is crucial, but it’s something that is not done overnight. Can be to do with changing how people work. There are many projects that foster collaboration, and this means that when you start to alter the culture of a company and become more inclusive, this means there will be some kickbacks, but this will help to weed out the less forward-thinking employees.

Bringing In Mentors
To facilitate change on a regulatory as well as cultural level, you have to bring in people to mentor. This means ensuring that people are going to listen to an external voice, but also a mentor can facilitate and guide employees in the right direction so that it becomes a proper cultural change, rather than a surface area change.

Educating Employees on Gender Bias
Education is the fundamental tenet of facilitating change in any organization. If you have a look at the infographic below, you can see that when it comes to overcoming gender bias you’ve got to educate your employees as a matter of priority as well as make sure that employees are aware of equality, such as through being paid the same. When it comes to facilitating change in an organization, it can take a lot of work, but equality is something that shouldn’t just be there in the regulations but should be part of the company’s fabric.


Infographic by Profit.co Read more at Profit.co

Alternative Ways To Use Your Skills and Earn a Secondary Source of Income

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When many people think about making more money, they default to going back to school for a higher paying job. A key to financial success however is figuring out to make more money with the skills that you already have. The following contributed post is entitled, Alternative Ways To Use Your Skills and Earn a Secondary Source of Income.

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The pandemic has no doubt brought many financial issues to our doorsteps. Whether it’s work hours or increased bills and living expenses, those of us that don’t have a lot of savings are going to suffer as we weather the storm. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to create alternative sources of income by using your existing skills.

So in this post, we’ll be taking a look at some of those methods and how you can secure your financial situation.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/XGC_1eH_ZGI (CC0)

Consider educating others with your expertise

Regardless of what your usual job is, there’s probably a way to teach others the skills you’ve picked up and make a profit from it. Whether you’re a baker, an artist, a writer or a fitness instructor, you can impart your knowledge onto others for a fee and make a fairly decent living from it.

You’ll definitely need to register yourself for a teaching platform if you want to get some exposure. The alternative is to get on social media and advertise that you’re offering lessons, then spread the word a bit by speaking to friends and family members.

Look for work on specialized job boards and platforms

There are actually lots of specialized job boards and platforms that offer employment. These jobs typically don’t show up on general job boards and job search websites because they’re typically offered to industry veterans and experienced individuals.

For instance, you could get a job working with an audio visual crew at an event if you have the expertise, or you might be able to find work as a logistics driver by searching for jobs with specific companies. There are lots of options out there to pick from, but you need to know where to look.

Get on social media and look for work

Social media is a surprisingly effective way to get a job these days. This is because there are lots of people looking for temporary workers and freelancers, but they only advertise on social media because they want to work with people that already follow their brand.

This generally leads to engaged employees that are more understanding of the brand and what they do. This is what makes social media an effective recruitment tool and is one of the reasons why a lot of companies have turned to platforms like Facebook and Twitter to find employees.

Start your own brand as a freelancer

The idea of working as a freelancer might be off-putting to some, but it’s actually an incredibly effective way to earn a secondary source of income if you have marketable skills. This usually means something creative such as design work.

Starting your own brand and growing it isn’t easy, but it’s certainly one of the best ways to look for work as a freelancer. Alternatively, you could pitch ideas to companies to see if they’re willing to hire you on a per-project basis. It’s a great alternative to just waiting around for work and you generally need to be active when searching for employment as a freelancer.

How Remote Work is Changing Home Safety

Two focuses of my blog are Technology and Workplace Discussions. The implementation of the technologies that we now have, have significantly changed the workplace so that remote working is increasingly the norm. The following contributed post is entitled, How Remote Work is Changing Home Safety.

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It’s official – we’re living in the age of the remote working shift. Admittedly, this change has been bubbling away under the business surface for a while now but, with many companies having to shut shop, more of us than ever have found ourselves in home offices overnight. And, according to around 74% of firms, this is a change that’s set to stay.

After all, remote workers are famously more productive, while a reduction in office hours can mean reduced costs in everything from bills through to rental costs. The only trouble is that, as the ways in which we use our homes change, so too do the security risks we face. While theft avoidance has always been a priority of sorts, the majority of us have been relatively relaxed with safety measures. Now, home safety becomes a must as thieves from all sides take advantage of this home office phenomenon.

Here, we’re going to look at what exactly those risks look like, and how you can protect against them.

Soaring cybersecurity breaches

Perhaps the most notable security change has occurred in the cyber-sphere, where there’s been a 400% increase in attacks over the last twelve months. This isn’t altogether surprising considering that businesses are operating almost solely online right now. With malware in the right places, hackers can quite literally access entire infrastructures.

The good news is that businesses are responding with in-house cybersecurity efforts including cloud computing and end-point networks. Still, there’s nothing to stop attackers accessing your personal network. Hence, now is the time to arm yourself, not only with knowledge but also that anti-virus software that you’ve never felt the need to get around to until now.

More valuables than ever before

Many of us also now have a whole lot more valuables at home. At the very least, we’ve had to bring work computers into home offices. Not to mention that our cars are sitting on the driveway for longer. All of this means that thieves are guaranteed to get away with more.

Now could, therefore, be the ideal time for increased home security. At the very least, CCTV alarm systems could keep your vehicles safe. Meanwhile, in-house protections like floor safes can ensure that no one gets away with your all-important work valuables. That way, you can save yourself money in replacements and lost working hours!

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The risk of complacency

Alongside these risks is one that proves equally problematic – complacency. After all, we’re each home a lot more now, and you may assume your presence alone is enough of a protection. Sadly, someone is home in around 266,560 of household burglaries. Separate home offices in the garden are especially problematic, as thieves who keep a close eye will be able to gain access the moment you head off for your lunch break.

To avoid this eventuality and the shock that it can bring, remember that you are not an island. Rather, you need security measures in place to keep you safe, even when your back is turned!

The Types Of Workplace Safety Gear You Should Invest In

Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Organizational/Management Discussions and Workplace Discussions. Depending on the type of workplace and organization you’re running, there may be safety considerations. As such a significant investment for your will be workplace safety gear. The following contributed post is entitled, The Types Of Workplace Safety Gear You Should Invest In.

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As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of your team as best as possible. Amongst the different ways of doing this, making sure that they are equipped with gear that can protect them from a variety of health hazards found in the workplace is a crucial step. Here, we’re going to look at some of the different kinds of protective and safety gear, and why it’s so important.

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Safety from contact wounds
Perhaps the simplest kind of safety gear is that which protects from all manner of contact wounds, including impacts, lacerations, and the like. This includes things like helmets designed to prevent head injuries, safety goggles in environments where things might be likely to hit the worker’s eye, gloves if they are handling tools, and more. These are the most basic choices in preventing accidents in the workplace.

Protecting their hearing
While the contact injuries mentioned above might be the most dramatic and commonly thought of workplace health risks, they are far from the only one. For instance, many construction and industrial sites produce an unsafe level of noises that can cause pain and permanent hearing loss. To that end, equipment such as earplugs and earmuffs can protect their ears by effectively lowering the decibel level that they are exposed to, crucial for anyone using heavy machinery.

Staying visible
In many workplaces, lighting equipment will be used to make sure that employees have the visibility they need to work safely. However, if they are working outside of a controlled worksite, especially on the road, then they could be a greater risk of being involved in an accident. High visibility work gear is designed to make them reflect light more easily so that they can be better spotted by motorists and others outside of the traditional worksite environment.

Protection from the elements
The weather itself can be a severe health risk. If someone is exposed to the cold and the rain for extended periods of time, it can result in them becoming seriously sick. As such, foul weather gear is often designed to insulate them, offering some level of protection from the cold, while also keeping them rainproof. It’s crucial to keep this kind of gear at the ready for any workers who might have to spend a long time working in the outdoors.

Healthy respiration
There are a lot of workers who will spend time working with hazardous elements that, if not careful, they could end up breathing in. All manner of smokes, dust, powders and vapours can be a health risk. As such, dust masks and full-face masks may be necessary depending on the kind of particles they are likely to be in contact with. Some particles may be agitating to even be in contact with, not only to breathe, after all.

Take the time to seriously address the risks found in your workplace, determine which gear is best suited to help your employees mitigate them, and make sure you invest in keeping them well-stocked in it at all times.

Methods For Creating High-Impact Teams That Don’t Alienate Their Methods

Two focuses of my blog are Organizational/Management and Workplace Discussions. No matter what sector you’re in, a key to creating a high-impact teams is doing so in ways that don’t hurt the team members and ultimately alienating them. The following contributed post is entitled, Methods For Creating High-Impact Teams That Don’t Alienate Their Methods.

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When you’re part of a world-beating team, you remember the experience for life. There’s nothing quite like it. Things just get done and you wonder why it doesn’t happen in every organisation.

But what makes great teams happen? It’s a bit of a mystery.

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In many cases, high-impact teams happen by chance. They just emerge spontaneously when the people and conditions are right. Other times, they occur because senior management put the right incentives in place and hire the correct people for the job.

In many cases, high-impact teams are path-dependent. Small perturbations in the initial conditions carry through, and everything just seems to work from that point onwards.

Creating high-impact teams isn’t an exact science. It isn’t something you can just guarantee. But you can increase the likelihood that your team will cohere by following some best practices. Here’s how to create a high-impact team without alienating any of the members.

Inspire People, Don’t Drive Them

Inspiration is a far more potent force than driving people to excellence. It’s more relaxing too. As a leader, you want to avoid cracking the whip. Instead, you need to find ways to motivate people intrinsically. Ideally, you want them to work hard because they love the job itself.

You see this kind of attitude among employees at most top-tier organizations. The people working there don’t need bossy or authoritarian managers. They’re just happy to get on with the work for the sake of it. It’s motivating in and of itself because it is something that they believe in.

Deploy Sales Training

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Our educational system doesn’t teach people many important life skills, including the ability to sell. Colleges seem to ignore the fact that we live in a market economy where selling is important. Most people only find out that they need to sell once they leave.

Great teams need people with sales training. These colleagues understand how to communicate the needs of the team to management and customers. Their actions are what make the output of the team valuable. They’re an essential link in the chain.

Think about when you last worked in a high-performance team. There’s a good chance that there was at least one person who could communicate the value of the team to senior management or the public. Without that kind of communicator, the team can’t easily justify itself and, therefore, struggles to find direction.

Get People To Trust You

Trust can be a big issue in teams if colleagues believe that you have ulterior motives. The best way to build trust is to lay out everyone’s incentives on the table and not to hide anything. If you’re trying to create a great team because you want a bonus or promotion, say it. If you’re trying to get a group of people together to create an award-winning product to ensure the survival of the business, don’t keep it a secret. Remember, members of your organization are often far more socially aware than you expect. If they smell a rat, it’ll adversely affect their work.