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In creative industries, an agile work culture helps create an environment which encourages the teamwork and collaboration necessary to come up with new and innovative ideas or thoughtfully expand on existing ones. Part of creating an agile work culture, however, is ensuring your team has what they need to collaborate effectively. To do so, you’ll need to take stock of your current work environment to find areas for improvement.
Whether it’s leading by example, offering full autonomy on projects or defining clear roles and expectations, there are a number of approaches you can take to nurture a collaborative environment — with some approaches less obvious than others. Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer their best tips for building an agile, collaborative work environment for your employees and why it’s so key to do so.
Lead by Example
When you’re a business leader, creating an environment that nurtures teamwork and encourages creativity is important. One tip I would give is to lead by example. When leaders model collaboration and teamwork, it sets the tone for the rest of the organization and fosters a culture of collaboration that can lead to innovation. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
Consider What Works Best for Your Specific Team
Allow your team to work and collaborate in whatever way is most effective for them. As a remote-first company, my team routinely uses Slack Huddles, video calls, text-only channels and more to collaborate across several time zones. By allowing each team member to organically find what works best for them, we have created a culture where collaboration is second nature. – Evan Nison, NisonCo
Offer Trust and Creative Freedom
One important thing I’ve found I need to offer as a leader in order to achieve the best results for my team is trust and creative freedom. While we have certain policies in place (so to speak), it’s just proven processes that help trim wasted time. Trusting in your team without being overbearing highlights your belief in them and creates a stronger sense of overall respect as a whole unit. – Chris Bianchi, CB Entertainment
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Emphasize Open Communication and Active Listening
I find that by emphasizing open communication and active listening, leaders can create an environment where collaboration flourishes. Team members will feel empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives, fostering creativity, cooperation and a strong sense of ownership among the team. – Billy Carson, 4biddenknowledge Inc.
Define Expectations and Roles Through a Framework
Create a framework that gives your team a playbook for effective collaboration. It ensures everyone is on the same page by clearly defining expectations, roles and responsibilities. A framework doesn’t mean limiting creativity or freedom; it will make ideas stronger and the team’s efforts more effective, ultimately leading to greater success for the organization. – Michael Klein, cannabisMD
Encourage a Sense of Ownership
Empower employees by giving them autonomy and decision-making authority over their work. This sense of ownership enhances engagement and accountability. It enables individuals to contribute their best efforts to collaborative endeavors. Acknowledge and celebrate collaborative efforts and achievements. Foster a culture that values collaboration as a key driver of success. – Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
Work Toward a Common Goal (With Employee Feedback)
An effective way to achieve an agile work culture is to establish systems that are consistently followed. Additionally, holding regular meetings and seeking feedback and input gives the team a voice by allowing them to vote on important decisions. Working toward a common goal, such as bettering themselves and others, creates a cohesive team culture that fosters collaboration, innovation and growth. – Kelley Swing, Head Case Hair Studio
