Q. How do you create
an atmosphere of
teamwork?
People have to feel
like they’re a contributor or a main part of the success of the organization.
Everyone must share the
same vision of the company.
It goes back to leadership,
making people aware that
they play a significant role in
the organization. Everybody
wants to be good at what
they do. So if they see that
— if they can see the company grow as the result of their
hard work, see the customer
list grow, see the customers
retain business, the percentage of retained business, the percentage of new customers
— then that gets them excited.
If they see that the company is growing and becoming
successful as a result of their
hard work and responsibility
they take on, then they share
that same vision.
There’s a number of ways.
You need to start with the
right people, and that’s the
tough one because everyone
is not a team player.
You, yourself, as a leader,
and your managers have to
be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm will breed a lot of that.
You need to get people
involved. You need to make
them feel important by giving them responsibility. By
giving employees latitude
and responsibility, you’re
entrusting them with that,
and then they feel important.
They feel like they’re a part
of it. They have to feel like
they’re a part of it.
Q. How do you make sure
you have the right people in
place?
You never really know until
you have the opportunity to
work with them. Credentials,
they look good on a resume,
but if they’re not accompanied
by the right attitude or work
ethic, then they’re worthless.
When we’re reviewing
resumes, obviously we look
at the credentials. Credentials
might get them their initial
interview. But in order to be
100 percent certain, you
don’t really know who you
have until you have an
opportunity to work with
them and [see] how they
handle different situations.
Some personality traits that
you pick up on in the first
meeting, you hope you’re
reading them right. I like
somebody who is positive
and aggressive to a point.
You do the best that you can,
but it’s just so hard to tell. You
just try to do the best you can,
and you can’t beat yourself up
because there’s just no foolproof way to know.
Q. What are the benefits of
fostering teamwork?
Satisfied customers. Team-work leads to customer satisfaction.
If we work as a team, we do
a better job. It’s just like anything. It’s like a football team.
… The team that plays together better usually comes out
ahead. I think it’s the same
thing with business.
HOW TO REACH: Millman Surveying Inc., (330) 342-0723 or www.millmansurveying.com
