Developing High-Performance Teams

Former in-plant manager and motivational speaker Wes Friesen returned to the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) conference to offer numerous management tips to help managers create a high-performance culture. Three things that high-performing teams share, he said, are:

1. Equity. People feel things are done fairly and they feel respected.
2. A strong sense of achievement, which creates positive momentum.
3. Camaraderie. Everyone gets along and they feel like a team.

Friesen offered six tips to help managers maintain engagement:

1. Don’t let newbies sink. Pair them with seasoned staff. Check in with them.
2. Create a physically comfortable work environment.
3. Eliminate perks that favor one level of employee over another.
4. Avoid micromanaging.
5. Spill the beans. (i.e., Share information with the team.)
6. Observe basic courtesies.

Friesen also talked about motivating employees and listed 10 suggestions:

1. Provide personal thanks. He advised hand-written notes.
2. Make time for employees.
3. Provide specific feedback.
4. Create an open, fun work environment.
5. Provide information.
6. Involve employees in decisions to get their buy-in.
7. Reward high performers.
8. Develop a sense of ownership.
9. Give them chances to learn and grow.
10. Celebrate successes.

“Success breeds success,” he noted.