Building Bridges, Not Walls: Cultivating Strong Relationships with your Team

People are at the heart of any successful team. Strong relationships with your team members can be the difference between success and failure. As a leader, building strong relationships with your team is essential for achieving success.

When your team members feel valued and connected, they are more engaged, motivated, and productive. But how do you build strong relationships with your team?

We are often asked that question by participants in our training programs, especially in First-Time Managers training courses, and more specifically what they ask us is: Is there a guide or some specific steps to follow that will most definitely create strong bonds?

Follow along as we break down the fundamental steps supported with extra tips for building strong relationships with your team members.

Explore 8 Strategies for Building Strong and Connected Teams

Introduction is a Must

Whether you are a new manager in the team or a new leader in the organization in general, it's important to start by introducing yourself to your team members and getting to know them. It is the first step and leaders tend to forget it.

This can include setting up one-on-one meetings or holding a team meeting where everyone can share a bit about themselves. This will help you understand what motivates them and how to support them. Taking an interest in your team members' lives outside of work shows that you care about them as individuals and not just as employees.

You can ask questions about their backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations. For example, you might ask, What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? or What are some of your goals for this year?

Listen and Learn

To build trust and rapport with your team, it's important to take the time to listen to them and learn about their goals, challenges, and perspectives. This can involve actively seeking out feedback and ideas from your team members, and being open to their input.

Here's what you could ask: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role? or What do you think we could do differently to improve our team's performance?

Be Approachable

As a leader of the team, it's important to make yourself approachable and available to your team members. Encourage them to come to you with any concerns or ideas they may have, and be receptive to feedback.

This can involve setting up regular check-ins or office hours where your team members can come to you with questions or concerns. You can also create an open-door policy, where team members can drop by your office at any time.

Lead by Example

To set a positive example for your team, demonstrate the behaviors and values you want to see in them. This includes being punctual, respectful, and accountable.

If you expect your team members to be on time for meetings, make sure that you are always on time yourself. If you expect your team members to communicate clearly and effectively, make sure that you are doing the same.

Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is key to building strong relationships with your team members. Keep them informed about any changes or updates, and make sure they understand their roles and responsibilities.

This involves holding regular team meetings or sending out regular updates via email or a team communication tool. You can also encourage your team members to ask questions and provide feedback to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Build Trust

Building trust with your team members is essential to building strong relationships. Be honest, transparent, and consistent in your actions and decisions. Follow through on your commitments, and be willing to admit when you make mistakes.

This can involve being transparent about your decision-making process and providing regular updates on the progress of projects.

Foster Teamwork

Fostering teamwork is critical for building strong relationships within your team. Encourage collaboration, provide opportunities for team members to work together, and celebrate team successes.

This helps create a sense of belonging and unity within your team. Teamwork also helps team members learn from each other and build strong relationships among themselves.

Recognize and Reward

Celebrating your team's successes and recognizing their contributions is important for building morale and motivation. It involves providing feedback, acknowledging accomplishments, and rewarding good performance.

For example, you might send a team-wide email acknowledging a job well done, or hold a team lunch to celebrate the completion of a major project. You can also provide opportunities for your team members to grow and develop their skills, such as by offering training or mentoring programs.

Moving forward with a Strong Team

Building strong relationships with your team members is a critical aspect of effective leadership. By following these 8 steps, you can establish a foundation of trust, respect, and communication that fosters a positive and productive work environment.

The payoff of investing in these relationships is a more productive, motivated, and committed team that can achieve great things. Remember, the power of people is key to any team's success!