Here's how you can acknowledge and incentivize collaboration in your team.

The human mind is constantly looking for positive strokes and in today’s world there are more and more externally driven. While formal positive feedback is good at the end of an effort on initiative completed , mix it up with smaller positive strokes where possible while the team is still in process , this serves as a great catalyst . But be vary of flattery as people pick that up quickly .

Praising team members publicly is an effective strategy for reinforcing collaborative behavior within an organization. When you observe seamless teamwork among your colleagues, it's beneficial to acknowledge and highlight their efforts in a public setting, such as during a team meeting or through a company-wide email. By doing so, you not only boost morale but also establish a standard of collaboration that inspires others to follow suit. Being specific about the actions or contributions you're praising is crucial because it helps team members understand precisely what behaviors are valued and encouraged within the organization.

Praise anyone who deserves it. Praise is both a thank you and a signpost that something went well. It also strengthens character and, when well-placed, the team. Praise publicly so it has impact. But never give unwarranted praise—it devalues all other praise. Sometimes, a public email is the right way to give praise. Often, a comment during a presentation is more valuable. Sometimes, praise is most effective when wrapped in a thoughtful gesture or action. It's crucial to be precise with praise to bring about the desired changes.

Here are the key points for setting goals together to foster collaboration within a team: Inclusive Planning Sessions: Involve all team members in the goal-setting process during planning sessions or meetings. Clear Objectives: Define clear and specific goals that everyone understands and agrees upon. Ensure these goals align with the team's overall mission and objectives. Shared Accountability: Assign responsibilities to team members based on their strengths and expertise, ensuring everyone has a role to play in achieving the goals. Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular progress reviews and check-ins to monitor progress, address challenges, and make any necessary adjustments to stay on track.

One of the key hurdles to openness in a manager or boss who truly wanted this to happen is too many explicit or implicit messages of hierarchy. This is more true in Indian and Asian cultures. You need to train yourself to behave like you did when you started your career at the bottom, where you sit , who gets served first , who goes to whose office to chat or talk , how you start and finish an interaction when someone is in your office are aspects of behaviour that need work. A culture where hierarchy is not at the forefront is an essential prerequisite to an open culture

Fostering openness within a team is crucial for cultivating a collaborative environment where ideas flow freely and trust thrives. As a leader, it's essential to set the tone by demonstrating transparency in your communication and decision-making processes. Encourage team members to share their ideas, concerns, and feedback by creating opportunities such as regular check-ins or brainstorming sessions where everyone's voice is valued. When team members feel heard and respected, they are more likely to contribute actively and collaborate effectively towards common goals.

Providing the right tools is essential for maximizing collaborative efforts within a team. By equipping your team with collaborative software and platforms designed for seamless sharing, communication, and project management, you enable efficient collaboration regardless of physical location or time zone. Whether it's project management tools like Asana or Trello for task organization, communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time messaging and file sharing, or virtual meeting tools like Zoom or Google Meet for face-to-face discussions, investing in such technology demonstrates your commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment.

Implementing a rewards system that specifically acknowledges and incentivizes teamwork can significantly boost collaborative efforts within your team. Whether through bonuses, additional vacation days, or team outings such as lunches or activities, these rewards serve as tangible recognition of collaborative achievements. Such a system not only motivates team members to work together towards shared goals but also reinforces the importance of collaboration in achieving overall success. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and collective responsibility, encouraging individuals to go beyond their individual roles to contribute to the team's success.

with the pandemic most of us have got into the mode of virtual work and collaboration with internal and external teams. today to ensure you survive, you need to stick your head out of the laptop / desktop and be visible in the system and on the floor. voluntary and proactive are the two characteristics that you need to indulge yourself with and not just put on your resume.

rewarding performers is one thing and ignoring a silent performer is another. taking pulse of the team is one thing and making decision on gossip is another. be mindful of what culture you are putting to the team.

Consider if you have a appropriate weighting on individual v's team metrics in your short term incentives. Getting the balance right will help you to reinforce the importance of collaboration and one team.