6 Ways to Have a More Engaged and Effective Team
Does your team lack energy, commitment, or a sense of common purpose? You're not alone. Today, most people are overloaded. We live in a world full of stimuli, flooded with information, working in a hybrid model that, instead of creating comfort in some, increases stress and causes longer working hours. How to create an effective team in such a situation? Challenges in team engagement are a daily occurrence for managers and HR professionals. Fortunately, there are specific, proven strategies that allow teams to regain motivation and act more effectively. Learn ways to help you keep your team motivated.
1. Trust — the foundation of a committed team and effective leadership
How to build trust in a team and why it is crucial for high motivation
Trust may sound like a cliché, but it is one of the strongest foundations for effective leadership and a strong organizational culture. According to research Gallup76% of employees experience burnout at least occasionally — and one of the most effective ways to reduce burnout is to create an environment of trust and mutual support. However, trust does not arise overnight. It is the result of regular, transparent communication, openness to feedback, consistency in action and genuine commitment of the leader. It is also about building a space where employees feel heard and safe — because only then can they fully engage, share ideas and take responsibility for joint success.
In practice:
- Introduce feedback rituals (for example, flashbacks every two weeks).
- Respond to your team's needs in real time.
- Give space to express emotions and opinions.
2. Establish a common vision and meaning of work — this is the key to team involvement
How does the meaning of the work affect the motivation and performance of the team?
Employees want to understand why they are doing their job. A lack of sense of purpose at work can lead to a decrease in commitment and efficiency. The role of a leader is not only to set goals, but also to give them a deeper meaning.
Consider:
- How does our project affect customers?
- What changes are we making through our work?
- What values do we represent as a team?
Research published in Harvard Business Review Studies show that people who pursue meaningful goals are more mentally resilient, motivated, and have better physical health and longer lives. Organizations that effectively communicate and implement a clearly defined goal attract and retain the best talent, which translates into their success.
That is why it is so important that leaders not only define goals, but also help teams see their importance and impact on the environment.
3. Strengthen autonomy and responsibility - these are key motivators in the team
Why autonomy at work increases team engagement and productivity?
One of the most common mistakes managers make is micro-management. Autonomy is a key motivator — teams that have a real impact on decisions, act faster, are more creative and less prone to stress.
How to implement it?
- Involve the team in planning and prioritizing tasks. By giving employees the opportunity to decide on the order of actions, you increase their engagement and the feeling that they have an impact on the success of the entire team.
- Give space to test your own solutions. Innovation and creativity are born when employees feel they can experiment and introduce their own ideas. Autonomy in decision-making allows them to develop their potential.
- Encourage initiative and self-reliance. Create a culture where mistakes are treated as part of the learning process. In this way, you will increase confidence in the team and support the development of independent leaders in the organization.
Gallup's research indicates that teams with a high level of commitment, supported by autonomy, achieve a 21% higher level of profitability. In addition, employees who have the ability to make decisions and take responsibility for their work show 17% higher productivity.
Therefore, it is worth investing in the autonomy of employees, as this translates into their commitment, job satisfaction and better business results.
4. Appreciate and celebrate small successes — building engagement through recognition
How does regular appreciation of success increase satisfaction and commitment in the team?
Motivation is not a sprint, but a marathon. Celebrating progress on a regular basis, not just big milestones, is critical to keeping your team engaged. Research shows that a supervisor's perception of employees' successes and efforts has a huge impact on long-term employee engagement.
Simple ways:
- Weekly “Hero of the Week” honors. Regular appreciation of achievements increases job satisfaction and motivates further action.
- Slack channel #celebracje. Creating a space to share successes reinforces the sense of belonging and value in the team.
- Regular summaries of successes in the team. Discussing achievements reinforces the sense of meaning and shows that every contribution is noticed.
According to Report HRM Institute “The Power of Appreciation”, 79% of employees indicate that they associate joy at work with an atmosphere in which they can feel at ease and are not afraid to express their views. In addition, 30% of respondents associate joy at work with positive feedback and appreciation from employees and the boss.
These data highlight the importance of regular employee appraisals to maintain a high level of engagement and job satisfaction.
5. Invest in relationship development and team integration — this is the key to building a strong organizational cultureWhy does team integration affect its efficiency and talent retention?
A team is not a sum of individuals, but an organism that works best when relationships are strong and authentic. Regular integration, joint activities or internal workshops are not a whim — it is a strategy for retaining talent and building organizational culture.
At Stara Drukarnia we support this by:
- Cycle of internal events — from self-defense workshops to vernissages.
- Common Zonesthat encourage interaction between teams.
- Administrationwhich really contributes to the climate of the place.
Why invest in team integration?
- Increased productivity: Integration promotes better communication and collaboration, which translates into work efficiency.
- Higher Employee Retention: Employees who feel part of a cohesive team are less likely to change jobs.
- Better organizational culture: Strong relationships between employees build a positive atmosphere, which influences engagement and job satisfaction.
According to the EY report, until 75% of employees strive for business successif he evaluates the organizational culture as “good”. Therefore, investing in team integration is a key element of any organization's development strategy.
6. Create a space conducive to focus and regeneration — an office that supports team effectiveness
How does the right office space affect team engagement, focus and performance?
An effective team is not only about competencies - it is also an environment that supports people on many levels: physical, emotional and social. That is why it is so important that The office was not only a place of work, but also a space for relationships, development and action in the name of higher goals.
Our team at Stara Drukarnia has extensive experience in cooperation with companies in the field of arrangement and administration of office spaces, we know that offices should be designed to suit for the diverse needs of teams:
- Intimate offices and relaxation areas, promote concentration and independent work.
- Places for collaboration and creative meetings, such as conference spaces foster collaboration and create ideal conditions for discussions, presentations and training.
- Arrangement of common space, so as to promote the well-being of employees. It should allow relaxation, inspire, give a sense of security and belonging. In the Old Printing House we focus on warm light, which combines with historic brick, natural greenery and temporary art exhibitions.
How else does office space support engagement?
Individual approach to tenants and their teams
Every company has a different work rhythm and culture. That is why at Stara Drukarnia, together with our tenants, we adapt spaces to their style of operation, offering flexibility and real support.
Intersocial integration
Our internal events (openings, thematic events, workshops and trainings) allow people from different companies establish relationships that go beyond the pattern of business cooperation. This is how we build community, not just space.
Charity and Volunteering
People want to act for a higher purpose — that's why we involve teams together in charitable actions. Thanks to this, work becomes not only a source of income, but also gives a higher goal - helping others builds a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in a person.
We believe that the office is not just a place to work. It's a space where people build an integrated community they grow and They feel the meaning of what they do. Your office is crucial, and we at Stara Drukarnia know this from experience.
summary
A committed and effective team is the result of conscious actions of the leader, the right work environment and a coherent organizational culture. This is not a one-time impulse, but a process. By implementing the above strategies, you create a team that works with meaning, grows and wants to stay with you for longer.
If you are looking for a space to support this process — contact us — Stara Drukarnia in Łódź not only provides offices, but also gives tenants the feeling of being part of an inspiring community.