The Power of Being Nice

Two professors from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business found that speaking positively of fellow team members gives more meaning to one's work and provides a greater sense of purpose.  They also claim that there are numerous opportunities to highlight your team's contributions and talent that often are not taken advantage of. 

 

When you bring on a new team member, you can make him or her feel like a million bucks by highlighting what makes the new hire interesting and telling other members of your staff the talents they bring to the organization.  One company asks candidates during the interview process what their favorite foods are, what their hometown is, what are their likes and dislikes and an inspirational quote that they like.  Then on the first day of work, the company hangs a picture of the new hire in its gallery of other team members, relating the information gleaned from the interview process.  This helps jump start a new hire's transition into the organization's social fabric, the professors write.

 

Sharing information is critical to a showroom's success.  To help team members open up, relate stories of each person's strengths and contributions they bring to the showroom.  If you are putting together a team to go after a large project, start the initial meeting by explaining why you picked each team member for the project, their unique talents and their background and interests.  This helps foster a sense of purpose and serves as a power motivational tool.

 

If you have team members that are introverted or are put down you can build their confidence and sense of workplace satisfaction by pointing out the value they bring to your operation. 

 

Highlighting experience, strengths and successes of team members when introducing them to new clients is another way to motivate and provide a sense of professional satisfaction.  Share details that you believe make the person interesting and someone that others would want to know and have work on their project. 

 

How you introduce and respond to your team members can create more meaning in their work and highlight reasons that demonstrate they are involved in a dynamic profession that helps customers make their dreams realities while improving the quality of their lives.