How do you motivate your teammate when they're frustrated?

Question

Hey PH Community!

We all have our ups and downs, right? As a founder, I believe it's our job to help our teammates bounce back and feel great about their work.

From my experience, frustration usually creeps in due to two main reasons:
1. Personal issues.
2. Not seeing those little wins for too long.

So, how do you usually motivate your teammates, whether it's your co-founder or an employee, when they're feeling frustrated?

Let's share our tips and tricks to keep the morale high and the vibes positive! 😊

Bogomil Shopov - Бого · Accepted Answer

Give them a few days off before going deep into the problems!

shrihari shastry · Answer

I'd understand the reason for the frustration. May not be able to do much on personal issues. Sometimes taking a step back and assuring them that they're doing a good job and wins are just around the corner does the trick in short term.

Tom Bruining · Answer

Something super practical that we've recently introduced is having a couple of hours a week where we just play a video game together and chill out. We're fully-remote with multiple time zones and starting a business is filled with knocks and bumps.

It's easy to exclusively end up talking about work - so having a regular thing where you actually just spend time together is super important.

Jade Grimwood · Answer

I think it's important to first fully understand your team - deeply knowing the motivations of the individuals, as well as the collective view of the team. From there, you can interact, collaborate and have beautifully helpful ways of working.

Explore Marlee - and you can find out more - I'm super proud of our product, and I use it every day in my work as a Transformation & Ways of Working Coach for our team (and those of our customers).

Answer

@founder_daksh We meet bi-monthly. During these sessions, we celebrate teams wins, each one of us shares highlights/ challenges since our last meeting, and personal reflections. We also discuss personal goals and address any obstacles hindering their progress.
Encouraging ownership, we rotate leadership among team members for each session. This approach ensures that every meeting is distinct and engaging, as individuals bring their perspectives to discuss different topics.

Answer

When a team member is frustrated, I take a empathetic approach to reignite their motivation. I create a safe environment where team members can openly express their concerns, actively listening to ensure they feel understood. I then offer a new perspective, helping them see the broader picture and reminding them that challenges are temporary stepping stones to success.

To keep the team vibe positive, we hold regular "wins and lessons" sessions where everyone shares recent victories and what they've learned from setbacks. This not only boosts morale but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and support.

Daksh Tyagi · Answer

@akshay34 That's a wonderful approach, Akshay! Creating a safe space for open communication and actively listening can make a huge difference. I love the idea of "wins and lessons" sessions; it sounds like a great way to celebrate successes and learn from challenges as a team. How often do you hold these sessions, and do you have any tips for making them effective? Your strategy really fosters a supportive and growth-oriented team culture! 😊

Daksh Tyagi · Answer

@akshay34 That sounds fantastic, Akshay! Meeting bi-monthly and rotating leadership is a great way to keep things fresh and engaging.

Daksh Tyagi · Answer

@jade_grimwood Thanks for sharing, Jade! Understanding your team's motivations on both individual and collective levels is definitely key. It sounds like Marlee is a fantastic tool for this.

Daksh Tyagi · Answer

@bogomep Great point, Bogomil! Sometimes a break is all it takes to clear the mind and come back with fresh perspectives. Do you have any specific strategies for helping teammates disconnect and recharge during their time off? I'd love to hear more about how you implement this approach! 😊

Daksh Tyagi · Answer

@tom_bruining I love that idea, Tom! Playing video games together sounds like a fantastic way to bond and relax, especially in a fully remote setup. It's so important to have those non-work moments to connect as a team. Do you have a favorite game that your team enjoys playing together? I'd love to hear how this has impacted your team's dynamics and morale! 🎮😊

How do you motivate your teammate when they're frustrated?

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