Strategies to Energize Your Team
By Mr. Robert D. Prunetti, President, Phoenix Ventures and Dr. Nicol Nicola, Director at New Jersey Department of Labor, Adjunct Professor and Leadership Facilitator.
Perhaps the best definition of leadership is the ability to influence others, gain their trust (buy-in), and energize them to exceed their job descriptions while promoting creative thinking and new ideas.
The cornerstone of effective leadership in the management of people is to clearly articulate goals and expected results. Ensuring a clear understanding of an employee's role in any operation and the importance of their contribution is essential. Your ability to deliver this message effectively, and your willingness to engage, is critical to your success as a manager.
Based on our experiences, here are four strategies that foster a more productive work environment:
- Weekly Meetings: To effectively influence your staff, be present and create opportunities for dialogue. Schedule weekly meetings where team members can share ideas, express differing viewpoints, and collaboratively make decisions aligned with the organization’s objectives.
As a leader, use these meetings to introduce new projects and offer feedback that is rational, reasonable, and responsible—helping secure buy-in by showing that success is possible when approached as a shared effort. Even when outcomes fall short of expectations, it's important to recognize that taking initiative is part of the learning process and can lead to better decisions in the future.
- The Power of One-On-One Meetings, Constructive Feedback, and Acknowledgment: Energizing your team can be challenging, especially if they have been in their roles for a while. The foundation for this was established in the previous point, where you set the stage for idea-sharing and healthy debates. Consider conducting one-on-one meetings with staff to show that their input is valued and seriously considered. Provide regular feedback and acknowledge contributions, regardless of their scale. For instance, Dr. Nicol Nicola holds weekly meetings with her direct reports to offer guidance, provide feedback, and acknowledge staff contributions.
- The Power of Small Wins: Embrace diverse ideas and recognize that both small and big successes are important. Dr. Nicola recalls her time working for Mr. Robert Prunetti, who always encouraged small wins. For example, when she proposed creating a formal internship program, a veteran employee initially dismissed the idea. However, Mr. Prunetti stepped in and supported her, allowing the program to move forward. These small wins empower staff by demonstrating that when their ideas are taken seriously, they can make meaningful contributions and achieve success.
- Celebrating Accomplishments: Taking time to reflect on and celebrate achievements is essential for maintaining morale and motivation. Each year, Dr. Nicola drafts an email highlighting the team’s accomplishments, sharing it not only with staff but also with organizational leaders and external stakeholders. This recognition reinforces the value of the team’s work and showcases collective success, providing a powerful source of energy and pride. As a result, the team’s output has grown from 12–20 publications per year to 40–50 publications annually.
Bottom Line:
We’ve outlined four strategies that can help energize and empower your team: regular team meetings, one-on-one engagements, recognition of small wins and celebrating accomplishments. At the heart of these efforts lies strong organizational leadership. Clearly articulating goals and expected outcomes not only drives performance but also builds trust and confidence among those tasked with execution.