3 Ways to Promote Unity in Your Company

How unified are your company’s employees and management?

If everyone is not on the same page in your company, you’ll always be handcuffed in terms of productivity. When your team is working together, it’s easier to get more done in less time. Sounds simple, right? But how do you get your workforce in sync, functioning as a well-oiled machine?

I’m Cosmo, a corporate entertainer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each year, I help hundreds of companies’ workforces bond with fun and engaging programs. My intent with these articles is to help you help your team members come together as one.

Corporate Team Unity Tip #1: Communication is Key

Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But effective communication is probably the most important ingredient to building a unified workforce in your company. So how do you do it? There are a few things you can do. Begin by being respectful of others’ views. The quickest way to cause someone to shut down is by ridiculing their ideas, views, or opinions.

Another simple way to encourage communication? Frequency. Get in the habit of weekly check-ins. Ask for feedback on how things are going. If you’re in a supervisory or management position in your company, this ingredient is crucial. And you’ll need a structured format that your team knows is there.

For employees to be willing to open up, they have to feel secure and know the option is there. Having weekly check-ins allows your staff to voice their concerns, ask for clarification, or otherwise communicate with those in charge. Knowing they have a weekly outlet will allow them to feel secure knowing they are heard.

Corporate Team Unity Tip #2: Build a Foundation of Trust

One key factor inhibiting open communication is trust. How comfortable does your team feel voicing their opinions or concerns? You’ll need to build up a foundation of trust to help your team feel as though they can ask questions or address problems.

A simple way to do that is by having an anonymous system for addressing concerns within the company. Not having to tie their name to what they feel is a big step out of their comfort zone and may give many folks the freedom to say what’s on their mind.

And part of the answer lies in management. If you’re in charge of a team or supervising others, you need to do or say things to let your team know it’s okay to voice opinions or bring up potential problems. If those in charge shoot down comments from employees or otherwise slam the door on these opinions, it’s going to teach the workers that speaking up doesn’t work or is not encouraged.

Corporate Team Unity Tip #3: Run With It

Let’s say you get some feedback from those you’re managing. What then? Listen to those comments. Do a deep dive into what they say. Is it practical? Is it something that would help the company? Do their comments hold water?

If your employees give you some good ideas to solve an issue in the workplace, act on it! Be open to change. Companies (and specifically those in charge) who are unwilling or unable to change as needed often suffer in the long run. My point? For your team members to feel comfortable opening up, they have to know what they say can be heard.

Let’s say you’re reading this and you are in charge of a team in your workplace. But you have a few layers of management above you. How is your company positioned internally for adjusting on the fly? How realistically are you able to bring an idea or concern one of your team members brings up to those in charge above you?

Your Mindset

Here’s a foundational key to all of this. When your team members, employees, superiors, and other co-workers approach you, go in with the mindset of listening. Listen first, speak second. Go into these interactions without making assumptions. Listen to what they have to say. Acknowledge what they say.

In many cases, people just want to be heard. Some people aren’t necessarily looking for a solution. They understand the parameters of their job. They understand what’s expected of them. But everyone succumbs to stress. And just by speaking their mind, they feel better.

What’s Your Next Special Corporate Event?

A simple way to promote unity is by holding events where everyone can let their hair down! I offer fun and amazing magic shows for corporate events. When everyone is together, laughing, and involved, your team will feel energized and unified. Contact me today to find out how my incredible magic can help your next banquet or special occasion!