Your startup is doing well. You’ve worked hard over the last few months and taken some big risks, but things appear to be working out. You’ve hired people and trained them for the job you want them to do. Some of them are delivering well, but you’re beginning to wonder if things aren’t quite as happy in the workplace as you envisioned them. It’s time for an appraisal.
Managing a small team isn’t easy, especially when it’s your business. You are now responsible for these people in far more ways than just providing their salary. You’re responsible for their health and well-being in the workplace. The truth is you spend more of your waking hours with these recruits than you do with your own family. If you’re not all getting along, then that starts to wear you all down.
Do you know how your team is performing or how to measure their performance? Many startups hire in a hurry out of necessity. Orders have been coming in that you simply can’t handle alone. Your recruitment process may have been less than refined and little was done to truly assess your candidate’s personality and ability to fit in. The resume may have been all you based your recruitment decision on. Are you starting to regret it?
The team should be cohesive, focused, and keen to support each other. Spend some time observing them and listening in. You’ll soon find out if one is carrying the others. You’ll also be able to identify the ones that aren’t even trying. Performance can be measured by setting realistic targets. An average for the overall group performance could be reasonable here. If this isn’t met, have an informal chat. If it’s still not met, provide further training and guidance. One more strike, and you’re going to have to let them go. Are you ready to fire someone?
Websites like zenruption can give plenty of advice and guidance about the dilemmas of firing someone. Yes, it can get ugly, so keep it private between the two of you. If you don’t remove the people that are dragging everyone else down, your company could fail. It’s not very pleasant for everyone else to have to carry the guy that simply won’t pull his weight either. How do you bring morale back up after that? Highlight the good in the team. Anyone who is left standing should have something to offer your company. Let everyone know you’ve noticed it, appreciate it, and expect more of it.
Do team building exercises work? It depends on the function of the team, but they can be a good way of identifying the different personalities within the group. If you know the individuals well, you can help shape the team to bring out the best in everyone. Refine their functions, so each member becomes an essential and appreciated cog in the team machine. Continue to offer training and support, so each member has a chance to develop and improve.
Molding a team to work well for you isn’t easy, and it does take time, care, and attention. However, this investment on your part could reap the rewards in terms of profits and efficiency.