Are you looking for more inspiration within your team to boost the productivity of your teamwork? But what does the word ‘inspiration’ actually mean? Inspiration means a flash of insight, enlightenment, a creative idea – but also ‘breathing in’.
Inspiration through motivation
Motivation is a key to inspiration. But what makes a person feel motivated? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as everyone is different. Consequently, there are numerous ways to find the right incentive. If you enjoy what you do, you usually don’t need any further motivation. If you know why you’re doing something and have goals you want to achieve, this further boosts your willingness to work. As long as you enjoy doing something and can see the ‘why’ behind it, your basic motivation is there.
Teamwork as a key factor
In most cases, you don’t work alone but as part of a team. This means that several people come together. Each of these people has a different personality, different experiences, and different strengths and weaknesses. That is why everyone should be placed in a role where they can shine through their strengths. This allows strengths to be highlighted and weaknesses to be balanced out.
Whilst this diversity of personalities can make teamwork more challenging, it is just as valuable as it is important. However, it is not only the coming together of different personalities that is crucial to a team’s success – but also the clash of differing opinions. Diversity within a working group greatly strengthens teamwork. Individual team members can learn a great deal from one another, which in turn can lead to a change in perspective and thus boost both inspiration and productivity within the team.
Working in a shared office space can be a very important factor in teamwork. If you want to encourage a lively exchange in which all your colleagues can participate, a large, open-plan office can facilitate this. After all, for a team, there is nothing more important than communication amongst team members. This can be made more difficult, or even virtually prevented, by having many smaller offices. However, if you and your staff are in a team office, nothing stands in the way of your teamwork.
Inspiration through a change of perspective
The change of perspective mentioned above is an important aspect of boosting productivity. These days, a change of perspective is often synonymous with the trend towards changing careers. However, this point is less relevant when it comes to enhancing the success of teamwork.
Different needs, viewpoints and behaviours come together within teamwork. This interplay leads you to question your own behaviour. As a result, a change of perspective takes place – whether big or small. Human interaction, such as mutual understanding, helps to motivate individual team members.
The 5-Star Principle
The 5-Star Principle was developed by Frauke Ion, who gives numerous talks and works as a management consultant and non-fiction author. The main idea behind this principle is the causality of individual characteristics in different people, and that changes to these individual aspects lead to a shift in perspective. The five stars represent:
- Needs such as hunger or tiredness
- Perspectives
- The brain as a transmission organ
- Behavioural patterns
- The outcome of our actions
A person’s fundamental needs form the core of their personality. These can sometimes vary greatly. Not everyone, for example, needs the same amount of sleep – some sleep more, others less. A person’s basic needs influence their motivation and personal aspirations. The first star, as well as upbringing and cultural background, influence the different perspectives and ways of looking at things. The brain – that is, the third star – acts as a transmission organ through which these perspectives are transformed into concrete behaviour.
It is important to understand that every person is unique in their way of thinking, their perspective and their behaviour. As a result, different perspectives clash within teamwork. It is essential here not to view this as a problem, but as an advantage. By trying to see things through the ‘eyes’ of others, you can do more than just improve your own behaviour; you can also increase your understanding of your fellow human beings and colleagues.
If you want to achieve an increase in productivity, you must realise that behaviour needs to change. By examining the chain of individual factors that lead to a person’s behaviour, adjustments need to be made at each stage. Whilst you cannot expect your staff to change their basic needs or require less sleep, you can try to alter the outcome by adjusting their perspectives.
A simple example of changing one’s own perspective: you’re used to travelling to work with your briefcase, which contains your keys, mobile phone and all your essential items. At the weekend, you go for a walk and look for your mobile phone, which – based on your usual perspective – should actually be in your briefcase, which you aren’t carrying with you. Of course, you do have your mobile phone with you, but not in its usual place; it’s in your trouser pocket instead. Having to take your mobile out of your trouser pocket feels a bit strange at first. However, after a period of adjustment – which naturally varies depending on the nature of the habit – you’ll come to automatically expect to find your mobile in your trouser pocket. This represents a small shift in perspective.
Learning from one another and providing mutual motivation to change one’s own perspectives not only boosts individual employees’ inspiration but also enhances productivity within the team. After all, learning new things can be great fun when you receive support and encouragement along the way.
Conclusion
Bear in mind that not every behaviour can be changed. If you try too hard to change your staff, this can lead to increased frustration and a drop in productivity. Team members must want to achieve these changes of their own accord for them to be successful. You can try to provide your staff with the necessary motivation – whether through kind and empathetic words or a fun company event. However, only each individual can adapt their own behaviour patterns.
Although it is important to find motivation for work, you should never forget that breaks are an extremely important factor in finding the right inspiration. Without periods of rest, during which you and your staff can recharge and take your minds off things, you will sooner or later notice a drop in performance within your teamwork.
There are many different factors that can boost inspiration and, consequently, the productivity of your teamwork. Some can be positively influenced – others relate solely to the individual. The most important thing – apart from a change of perspective – is, however, to nurture each person’s strengths. This helps to compensate for weaknesses and boosts your team’s productivity.
Cover image: ©Shutterstock/Kom_Pornnarong
Featured image: ©Shutterstock/deya k
