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Keeping your culture on an even keel

If this sounds worryingly familiar, be reassured that there are steps you can take to get your team back on track.

CragRats believe that team ‘togetherness’ is going to be the key differentiator between those that struggle and those that thrive in times of economic uncertainty.

A unified workforce that understand and take personal responsibility for the success of a business will perform better than one with a fragmented culture that is not aligned.

Here are a few pointers that will help you to keep your culture on track:

1) Communicate the goal

When people become despondent it is often because they are unclear of what it is they are trying to achieve. Make sure everyone in the business understands the ‘business’ goal and, on a team level, how their input is important in achieving this goal.

2) Nip the ‘Vinegar Vera’s’ in the bud

Vinegar Vera is a CragRats term to describe a person who does their best to be as negative about everything as possible. When you are trying to spread positive messages, these people will try to undo your work from the inside out.

Make sure that you take steps to challenge the behaviour of these individuals. Try to find out why they are being negative, it could be that they are in the wrong role within the team, or it could be that their values are never going to align with those of the organisation.

3) Make time

Make time for team meetings and encourage the sharing of ideas about how teams can be more effective. Encourage cross-departmental get togethers – this will improve the flow of communication between teams and breakdown the silo working mentality.

4) Be honest

If the business is going through a tough time, communicate this along with an action plan. If you don’t, rumours will start and suddenly you have a mountain instead of a mole hill… Be sure to communicate an action plan so that people are reassured about the course of action and remain positive

5) Praise good practice

When members of your team are doing well, tell them, don’t forget how important this is especially when times are hard. Find out how they like to receive thanks and give it to them in this way. Remember, not everyone likes to be praised in front of their colleagues!

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