Building a winning team takes more than most people assume.

It involves assembling together a group of talented employees to work together as a team to attain a shared goal, commitment, or vision. To come up with a winning team, there are several things to consider.

They include:

1. Be a good example

As a manager or team leader, you have an obligation to lead by example. Other members of your team are more likely to believe in your leadership if you practice what you preach. Your leadership techniques and styles should be in line with your characteristics. Good leadership prompts respect, trust, and admiration from team members.

2. Appreciate your team members

Teamwork is all about togetherness or unity. As a good leader, you should take it a notch higher by showing appreciation for individual members’ contributions. Recognition leads to a happy, success-oriented, and self-driven team. Allow each member to shine in their own unique ways leading to team success.

3. Make an effort to know your team.

Getting to know your team members on a personal level can be a game changer when building a winning team. Gather as much intelligence as possible on individual members to learn their strengths and weaknesses. With a better understanding of how each of them works, you can easily spot team destroyers from within. Be on the lookout for members who lack confidence, show jealousy and signs of cynicism to avert team conflicts.

4. Improve communication

Improving communication can unlock the doors that can lead to high productivity, solid work relationships, and friendships. Adjust your communication style to conform to different personalities under your leadership. Communicate your expectations and encourage others to do the same as a way of empowering them to do better both individually and as a team.

5. Have well-defined roles and responsibilities

Most people perform better when they clearly understand what their individual roles and responsibilities are. Never assume that they all know what they should do lest you want a crisis. Consider delegating responsibilities and roles according to each member’s abilities. With clear job descriptions, nothing will be impossible to achieve.

6. Protect your team

Team members need a leader who can protect them where need be rather than sacrifice them. Playing a protective role will signal to the group that you’re an authoritative yet approachable leader. Let it be known that you always have your team’s work 24/7.

7. Build trust

Teams perform best when they have confidence and trust their leadership. Build trust by acknowledging their contributions and unique talents without favoritism or discrimination. Being trustworthy will mean members can come to you for guidance without fear.

8. Encourage creativity and spontaneity.

Never clip a bird’s wings and expect it to fly. With that in your mind; it is essential to encourage team members to be creative, innovative, and spontaneous. Do it right, and you’ll love the end results.

9. Don’t micromanage your team.

Most teams never thrive under micromanaging authorities or leadership styles .Give them the benefit of the doubt by allowing them to do what they do best with minimum supervision. Poking your nose in everything they do may not go down very well with some members, which can lead to conflicts and low productivity.

10. Respect team

Respect goes both ways. You cannot disrespect your team and expect miracles from them. Show your respect by not making assumptions, involve them in decision making, clarify things when unclear without expecting them to know everything, and encourage respectful dialogues amongst team members.