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As a manager, your job is to create an
efficient environment in which your team can succeed. That means developing a
workflow that supports collaboration, positivity, and productivity all while
fostering the efficiency you need to be competitive in the modern economy.

Fortunately for you, there is a wide range of
available tools and strategies that can help you support a hyper-efficient
team, regardless of your industry. Integrating these into your workflow can
make all the difference in promoting a Lean strategy that fosters productive
teamwork.

Overcome common barriers to team efficiency
with the following strategies. But first, understand the challenges you face.

Common
Barriers to Team Efficiency

Let’s start with the difficulties of modern
teamwork.

The internet has opened up world trade,
allowed for virtually limitless business opportunities, and supported heavy
competition in just about every product and service niche there is. That said,
we all have a lot to keep in mind when developing internal projects, campaigns
and strategies to meet various client needs.

However, another component of modern offices
has added to the challenge. COVID-19 caused a rapid shift in the way we work,
and now many teams have to coordinate work from their homes as the world begins
to embrace remote work. For many teams, this has created obstacles in the path
of efficiency, such as the following.

Poor Communication

Professionals have to communicate all the
time. Without the benefit of face-to-face meetings, many are left having to
rely on digital tools, coworkers in different time zones, and text
communication that fails to relay vocal tone and body language. Naturally, this
is a recipe for poor communication.

Without clearly stated goals, tasks, and
objectives, any team will struggle with efficiency. Poor communication leads to
re-briefs, work that has to be re-done, and wasted time and money overall.
That’s why managers have to go above and beyond to ensure teams are on the same
page.

Unclear Roles

In a similar vein, unclear roles can be a huge
problem among teams — especially those that work in virtual environments.
That’s because it can be harder to understand workflows at a distance. Without
the benefit of seeing what your coworkers are doing on a consistent basis, it’s
more difficult to know exactly where you might be able to step in and solve
problems. Take care to check in daily and make yourself open to answering
questions to better address this problem.

Lack of Motivation

Apathy in the workplace can be another
challenge when it comes to productivity. This apathy might be the result of one
or more factors all pressing on the industry at once, from pandemic concerns to
analysis paralysis caused by too much data and too little actionable insight.

Fear of failure in decision-making is another
huge problem, one that is making firms less efficient and less honest in many
cases. Rather than creating easy-to-reach key performance indicators (KPIs) or
changing them altogether when the data doesn’t go your way, embrace team
brainstorming and innovation instead.

These are only a sampling of the obstacles in
the path of increased efficiency and job satisfaction, but being aware of these
issues is half the battle. If you know what to look for, you can better
understand when it’s time for a change. But how can you go about actively
fostering greater efficiency?

Ways to
Foster Efficiency

Today’s data-driven business environment has a
lot to offer. Knowledge is everywhere waiting to be cultivated. Meanwhile,
businesses better understand the value of a diverse, inclusive workforce that
is open to continuous innovation. Even if your team is operating remotely, the
tools of success are available to you.

These are but five ways you can begin
fostering efficiency through tech and best practices:

1. Foster emotional intelligence among your team. According to Pulitzer Prize-winning
   investigative reporter Charles Duhigg, equality of voices through
   conversational turn-taking and high emotional intelligence are the best
   methods of fostering effective teamwork. Build a psychological safety net
   in your meetings by creating an environment of respect, empathy, and
   awareness. 

2. Adopt Lean practices. Lean
   principles are all about continuous innovation, optimization, and waste
   elimination. When a team applies these principles, they set themselves up
   for success through constant improvement. Adopt Lean practices for greater
   efficiency. 

3. Embrace modern tools. Lean sales and marketing should bring
   value directly to customers — and they should also bring value directly to
   your team. The right toolset allows individuals to communicate with each
   other, assign tasks, check in, and measure the effectiveness of their work
   through customer feedback. Find software platforms and systems that will
   help you enhance your efficiency.

4. Make employee development a priority. Your employees are bound to lose motivation if they don’t feel
   progress in their careers. Instead, offer them chances to learn new skills.
   This might take the form of internal mentorship programs or access to
   educational resources, which can help foster better internal processes and
   team relationships.

5. Define worthy KPIs. Your
   KPIs are the metrics by which you measure your efficiency. Don’t set the
   bar low. Rather, define the outcome you want to achieve and then track the
   metrics that align with your goals. From lead-to-sale conversion rates to
   cost-per-lead, understanding these metrics is essential for maximizing your productivity.

These are just a few of the many ways you
might go about fostering efficiency in your team. From here, it’s a matter of
maintaining clear goals and inclusive working environments in which employees
always feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.

Your efficiency depends on emotional
intelligence aligned with cohesive communication software. Whether you’re
managing a team remotely or in-office, these tips can help you cultivate a
thriving, productive team for a long time to come. Start now by practicing
emotional intelligence in your leadership strategies.

About the Author: Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned
blogger. Since finishing college he is trying his hand at being a freelance
writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but technology and business
topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling,
hiking, or gaming.