Being a leader is not easy. It’s one thing to delegate tasks, and another to foster a dedicated and committed team. Anyone can work for a salary, but true loyalty can’t be bought.
One effective way to bring everyone together and get your employees to work in tandem is to engage them over meals — because everyone loves food!
But how do you know when it’s the right time to invest in a team lunch? Here are 10 signs to lookout for.
Are your employees playing as a team, and are they headed in the same direction?
1. No one knows what’s their KPI
Success can only happen when everyone in a group works towards the same objective. But that can’t happen if less than half your team know what that objective is.
You have to get everyone on the same page, but a serious boardroom-style meeting can stifle discussion. Having a meeting over a delicious spread, however, will certainly get everyone talking and encourage contribution.
2. Office cliques form
Your team might know their KPI, but moving forward involves unity. When cliques or factions form within a team, the team’s overall morale won’t just dip, productivity will also slow down.
Team lunches provide the perfect platform for different people in your team to talk to each other about matters outside of work. This communication breeds stronger bonds and a greater understanding among everybody.
3. Everyone is only trying to save their own skin
Your team needs to be united to get things done. However, when everyone in a team is most concerned about their own wellbeing, they tend to start playing the blame game when things go awry.
A successful team is a product of mutual support, not blame. By bonding over food, your staff will develop a sense of community as well as support and care for their fellow team members.
4. Work is constantly being pushed around
A corporate culture built on blame and a selfish, individualistic mindset breeds a team of people who are constantly passing work around instead of completing it together.
Fixing a toxic, inefficient corporate culture like this takes understanding and synergy between each individual in a team. One way to foster better attitudes? Getting everyone to spend time together over team lunches.
5. Your staff don’t understand their importance
It’s important for each team member to not only know their own job scope, but to understand how they fit into the company’s far-reaching goals.
Team meals give you the opportunity to point everyone to the big picture and express how each individual plays a significant role, over food. The free lunch also serves as a token of appreciation for everyone’s efforts.
6. Everyone is only doing the bare minimum
When people don’t feel like they have ownership over their jobs, they often only do whatever’s necessary to meet expectations, never more.
People develop a sense of ownership when they feel like their opinions are validated and listened to. Spark conversation and engage your people by spending quality time with them (over food, of course).
7. Everyone is sluggish in meetings
If you’re constantly spotting bored, drowsy faces and hearing grumbling bellies during meetings, it’s time for a change.
Make meetings exciting again with some food and drinks. The more everyone feels fed and comfortable, the more likely they are to open up and actually bring something to the table.
8. You don’t know your staff’s career goals
The road to success is not a one-way street. Your staff have to understand the company’s and your goals, and you have to understand theirs.
Food is the best social lubricant, so a team meal is a perfect place to find out more about your team and their individual goals. While digging into food, get everyone to share their hopes and ambitions with regards to work and their career.
9. You don’t know your team outside of work
We’re not saying you have to be everyone’s best friend, but it helps to get to know your employees as individuals outside of work.
For example, if you didn’t know one of your team members got married over the weekend, it’s probably time to get to know them on a personal level.
Lunchtime is the best time for chit-chat. Further fuel conversation by organising little activities, like passing out Post-Its and getting everyone to write personal stories. You’d be surprised to find out what you learn about your colleagues.
10. You don’t have anyone to lunch with
Do you often find yourself stepping out of your office at 12pm, only to find out the rest of your team have left for lunch without you?
It’s easy to feel disconnected from your team when you’re in a position of authority. You could be the friendliest boss in the world and there would still be employees who are too afraid to speak to you, for fear of jeopardising their career.
Organising a lunch can help you show your team that they can, in fact, enjoy a meal with you and build relationships that extend beyond you being just their boss.
Think it is about time you put together a lunch for your team? We’re here to lend a hand. Catersmith can help you create team experiences through food, by planning meals that are supplemented with tools you need for simple engagement activities.
Contact us today to find out more!
