29 Ways to Support Your Teams to Create Results and Dedication

If you want to achieve more for yourself, to do more for your firm, or to rise to the top, teamwork will always beat what you can do with your two hands.

And any team, no matter how talented its superstars or how well supplied, runs on support from its leader. Without it, they’ll falter. With it, the most mediocre individuals can collectively produce greatness.

The value of support

Think of the times you’ve achieved most with a team. How did the leader interact with the team? Did you get what you wanted when you needed it, even if that meant time alone?

Think of the times you worked on teams and things fell apart. What did your leader do? Did he or she resolve conflict or exacerbate it?

A short list of ways you can support your team

What your team needs at any time depends on the needs of the moment. You have to ask. Nothing replaces empathy, communication, sensitivity, and experience.

But some needs show up a lot. The more you know what to expect, the more you’ll hear what they need when they tell you.

Here is a short list of needs you can support them on (including giving them space and solitude).

1. Material resources (money, supplies, food, etc)
2. Protection from others wanting their labor and time–“Air cover”
3. Conflict management
4. Connections to others outside the team
5. Expectation of success
6. Vision
7. Feeling understood on their motivation and passion
8. Vacations
9. Re-inspiration
10. Motivation
11. Standards to meet
12. Recognition for their effort
13. A shoulder to cry on
14. A sense of urgency
15. More time
16. Less time
17. Clarity
18. Silence
19. Solitude
20. Systems (computers, schedules, etc)
21. Advice
22. Space to work
23. Material reward
24. Non-material reward
25. Listening
26. Accountability
27. Privacy
28. A kick in the butt
29. Ownership

Next steps

What does your team need?

How can you find out?

How much more will your teammates deliver when you deliver it?