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10 Strategies for Managers/Leaders to Strengthen Relationships with Team Members

 
“A manager-employee relationship refers to the quality of the interactions between an employee and their manager, which encourages openness, safe expression, value, and productivity.”
— Indeed’s Editorial Team

TeamDynamics' research explored how teams communicate and collaborate to get work done in 2024. Along with other findings on communication styles, a manager’s influence on his/her team, team planning preferences, and intra-team behaviors, the research suggests that there’s work to be done to strengthen relationships at work.

Our last post explored the business case and challenges associated with strengthening strong manager-employee relationships. We also identified several metrics that can provide organizations with valuable insights into the state of relationships between employers and employees within an organization. In this follow-up post, we offer leaders 10 strategies for building stronger relationships with their team members.

The following list is designed to provide a roadmap, stimulate thinking, and encourage action on one or two strategies at a time. We invite you to rate your skills on each of the ten strategies. Pick one or two to work on with a coach or mentor and solicit feedback from your team members on your skills. Revisit these strategies often.

The Strategies

Key Facts

Important Goals

Resources

1. Set Clear, Mutually Agreed Expectations and Goals: 

70% of people prefer that their teams build and implement detailed plans for project execution. 

Just 27% of teams do. 
TeamDynamics 2024
  • Clearly define and agree on each employee's roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. 
  • Set mutually agreed SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that align with organizational objectives. 
  • Encourage your team members to provide regular updates on progress.

2. Practice Effective Two-Way Communication

Managers who regard communication as one of the most important factors contributing to the success of projects have achieved higher success rates than their peers. 
Nyandongo and Davids
  • Encourage open, honest, and transparent communication. 
  • Actively listen to your employees. 
  • Provide and receive regular feedback. 
  • Encourage your team members to communicate openly about their needs, challenges, and ideas.

3. Foster Mutual Trust and Respect

Trust is essential for knowledge sharing. When team members trust one another, they're far more likely to share knowledge and communicate openly. 
John Politis - Journal of Knowledge Management
  • Build trust and respect by teaching, modeling, and rewarding it.
  • Demonstrate trust by delegating responsibilities and empowering team members to make decisions. 
  • Show respect by recognizing value and acknowledging contributions. 

 

4. Provide Support and Recognition

93% of employees who feel valued at work reported being motivated to do their best. American Psychological Association

Employees who receive great recognition are 20 times as likely to be engaged as employees who receive poor recognition. Gallup
  • Provide in-the-moment support and guidance to employees. 
  • Help them overcome challenges and develop their skills. 
  • Recognize employees WEEKLY for their achievements and contributions, whether through verbal praise, written acknowledgment, or rewards. 

5. Promote Work-Life Balance

63% of survey respondents stated they would choose better work-life balance over better pay. FlexJobs’ 2022 Career Pulse Survey
  • Encourage a healthy work-life balance by respecting employees' personal time and boundaries. 
  • Offer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible hours, when feasible. 
  • Pay attention to each team member's emotional and psychological well-being.

6. Foster Collaboration and Teamwork

86% of employees in leadership positions blame lack of collaboration as the top reason for workplace failures.

Companies have the potential to cut employee turnover rates in half by actively promoting communication and collaboration in the workplace.
Zippia
  • Create opportunities for collaboration and teamwork among your employees.
  • Encourage cross-functional projects, team-building activities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual support.

7. Address Conflicts Promptly

Employees in United States companies spend approximately 2.1 hours each week involved in conflict. This amounts to around $359 billion in hours paid that are filled with – and focused on – conflict instead of on positive productivity. CPP Global

85 Workplace Conflict Statistics to Know in 2024
  • Address conflicts and issues in a timely and constructive manner.
  • Encourage open dialogue and facilitate resolution through mediation or conflict resolution techniques when necessary.

8. Lead By Example

When you lead by example, you show your team what’s possible and inspire them to do their best work. Rahul Sharma
  • Demonstrate the behaviors you expect from your team members, such as professionalism, integrity, and respect.
  • Be approachable, empathetic, and responsive to employees' needs and concerns.

9. Seek Feedback

In a study of 51,896 executives, those who ranked in the bottom 10% in asking for feedback were rated at the 15th percentile in overall leadership effectiveness. On the other hand, leaders who ranked in the top 10% were rated, on average, at the 86th percentile in overall leadership effectiveness. Zenger & Folkman

10 Employee Feedback Statistics for 2023: Facts & Key Takeaways
  • Solicit feedback from employees on their experiences and perceptions of the manager-employee relationship.
  • Actively listen to their input, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to strengthen the relationship.

10. Invest in Employee Development

Companies with a moderate learning culture saw a 27% employee retention rate. On the other hand, companies with a strong learning culture observed a 57% retention rate for employees. LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2024

Employee Development Statistics You Need to Know in 2024
  • Support employees’ professional growth and development by providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for advancement.
  • Show a genuine interest in employees’ career aspirations and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
Leaders strengthen relationships with employees and teams

Reading & References

Articles

 
Workplace, LeadershipPam GrosickiEmployee relationships, Employer-employee relationships, Culture