Teamwork is a fundamental issue in management and in organizational success. A lot of effort is needed to build and maintain an effective team. But sometimes you just need a little creativity.

This idea suggests that you strengthen teamwork by letting the entire team highlight the positive characteristics of one team member at a time.

Monthly Personal Spotlight:

• Make a raffle to determine the order by which team members are going to win the spotlight, and make a suggested format for the spotlight.
• The spotlight may be published on the team's bulletin board, on a company website, on an email newsletter to team members, or on an internal printed newsletter.
• It may include a description of the team member's special achievements, their hobbies, a short interview with them and more.
• The important thing is that all team members have to work on the Spotlight made on the chosen team member.
• If it is important to make this a more intensive experience, you may turn it into a weekly event.

This is not an employee of the month type of recognition -- please don't confuse it. An employee of the month can become competitive and breed resentment. And it's typically chosen by supervisors.

In the Personal Monthly Spotlight model, everyone is "chosen." And it's a random selection as to when. When it's that employee's month, every team member contributes to the positive statements that are included about that employee. As an employee hears and sees the positive comments and contributions made to him or her by teammates, it builds trust, respect and relationships.

Best of all, it doesn't cost anything to do this!

Does this sound like a great activity for your organization? 

If you would like more ideas, tips and activities ready-made for you to implement, click here to sign up for Leadership 101 notifications -- our newest on-demand training program that will be launched this Spring.

Leadership training opportunities are offered in many ways to meet your organization's specific needs and budget. Take a look at our different training approaches, including these On-Demand traning courses:

• Supervisor 101
• Bringing Out the Best in You and Others
• Managing Staff in Stressful Times: Celebrations and Challenges of Leading Multiple Generations
• Dealing With Difficult People
• Creating a Culture of Customer Service Excellence
• The Healthy Leader: Learning to Lead Yourself