Quick Review
As we noted in our last article, 36% of employees say people issues cause them the most heartburn at work, and another survey found that 35% of workers say their boss is a cause of their workplace stress. And we began talking about using an understanding of communication styles to be a better communicator and help reduce stress.
We focused on changing “difficult” or “stress producing” to “different” with suggestions for how to adapt to better connect. We looked at two causes of stress – dysfunctional teams and conflict. And how understanding and adapting to different communication styles can help with both.
Today we’re going to look at two additional strategies to reduce stress:
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- Strategically assign work
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- Maximize the impact of rewards
1. Strategically Assign Work
An earlier article highlighted using a competency framework to strategically assign work. (Matching each team member’s competencies with specific team tasks.) Another strategic factor to consider in assigning work is motivation – what types of work most motivates someone? While you can’t always match these exactly, the more you can, the less stress an employee will feel and the more positive they will be.
The T.E.A.M. styles provide some clues:
T’s like to tackle tasks that:
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- have a quick turnaround
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- can be done alone
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- don’t need a lot of discussion/collaboration
E’s like to tackle tasks that:
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- have room for a creative/novel approach
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- involve collaborating with others
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- don’t have a lot of details to manage
A’s like to tackle tasks that:
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- provide time for thought and reflection
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- have very clear directions/parameters
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- include a group to consult with as needed
M’s like to tackle tasks that:
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- are not rushed or controversial
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- involve collaborating with others
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- are broadly supported
2. Maximize the impact of rewards
There are many low cost/no cost ways to reward people for good performance. (Ask us for a free copy of Motivators A to Z). However, different rewards impact each of the T.E.A.M. styles differently. Whether you are a leader or a colleague, focusing on rewards with others can produce a positive environment with reduced stress.
Here are some clues about tailoring motivation for each of the four styles. Note that what you consider motivating may not be viewed positively by other styles! Taking time to think this through can build a stronger team with less stress.
T’s are motivated by:
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- working alone
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- quick completion of tasks
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- minimal feedback
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- brief recognition of their skills and knowledge
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- short meetings and discussions
E’s are motivated by:
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- people really listening to (really hearing) their ideas
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- opportunities to collaborate with others
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- connection to a higher mission/purpose
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- opportunities to be creative and brainstorm with others
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- positive feedback about their contributions to the team and mission
A’s are motivated by:
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- having time for thought and reflection
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- having people give them clear and detailed answers to their questions
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- detailed positive feedback that highlights the quality of their work
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- opportunities to work on complex problems
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- people to bounce ideas off/ask questions
M’s are motivated by:
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- a collegial/supportive work environment
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- people taking an interest in them as a person not only a worker
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- opportunities to collaborate with others
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- tasks with reasonable deadlines and lower stress
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- positive feedback that includes a focus on them as a team member
Conclusion:
To sum up this and the previous article: T.E.A.M. Communication Styles provides great insight into how to create an environment where people flourish and stress is minimized. We explored four themes that contribute to lower stress, better interactions, and a productive work environment:
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- Building a stronger team
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- Preventing or reducing conflict
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- Strategically assigning work
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- Maximizing the impact of rewards
Whether you are a leader or a colleague, actions you take, tailored to people’s preferences, can help promote a positive workplace with less stress. Contact us or visit check out our FAQs if you’d like to find out more about T.E.A.M. Communication Styles®.
