A leader needs to build a team that can perform consistently, execute flawlessly, and attain key business goals. But building a strong, effective team doesn’t always happen naturally. A great deal of thought and strategy goes into the creation of really strong teams. It comes down to an interesting balance of productivity, culture, and profit to really get it right. If not approached the right way, a company’s bottom line can really take the hit when an ineffective leader doesn’t do what it takes to nurture their team.

Here’s how the most successful leaders manage to do it all.

Be a cheerleader

You might be surprised how important a manager’s support and empowerment is to a strong team, but in reality, there’s almost nothing more important than trust and support. When employees truly feel their manager has their back, teams flourish. Leaders should be unwavering as their team’s biggest advocate within the organization. Do what you can to remove obstacles, but also give them the independence to succeed in their own way as well. Do what you can to set them up for success, then let them succeed.

Look inward at times

As a leader, do you exhibit the skills and competence you demand from your employees? Do you practice what you preach, from collaboration to work-life balance? Are you a role model for your employees? You need to be if you want to grow a strong team. The behaviors leaders portray directly affect employee behavior. Be the leader you know you need to be to build the best team.

Don’t overlook flaws

Work needs to be a safe, engaging and fun place for employees to spend time. Yet it also needs to be an environment where your team can do what they need to get the job done. Don’t cover up poor morale or toxic work relationships with free lunches or game days. The work needs to be fulfilling and rewarding to keep employees engaged and morale high. Fun won’t outweigh issues of poor salary or disrespectful work environments if a leader handles them ineffectively. Don’t avoid the difficult conversations, but work to confront issues quickly and effectively to keep things on track.

Show gratitude

The best teams in the world know they are great because they experience that greatness on a day-to-day basis. But without meaningful gratitude from their leadership, they will quickly drift off to find a company that will appreciate them for their skills. This is an issue of kindness, a bit of a lost art in the corporate world. Being kind and showing authentic gratitude goes a long way to relieving some of the anxiety-filled thanklessness that corporate America is known for.

To be a great leader, you need a great team, but you also need to be the sort of leader who deserves a great team. Keep that in mind as you seek to grow your organization. Because it can be a slippery slope if you lose the morale and support of the people you count on to get the job done.

For more advice on building strong team, contact the experts at Verum Technical today.