Complaining breeds helplessness. Ruminating about problems only gives them more power. Instead, ask questions. Where are you spinning your wheels? Are you attempting to direct what is beyond your control? What are you planning to create? What is the commitment you are willing to make without exception to secure the satisfaction awaiting you?

The work is never done. Resources are scarce. Expectations are unclear. Competitiveness undermines trust. Relationship conflict derails the team. Commitment to goals is waning.

We know it is not always money, incentive programs or pressure from above. People do their best work when they feel valued and respected, connected to the purpose of the organization, a part of a group or team of like-minded people and they are safe to experiment and take risks.

Listen attentively. Create enough. Build trust. Engage everyone. Build community.

Learn to listen before jumping in with suggestions or remedies. Put aside your own analysis and judgment. Differentiate between the assumptions that often lead to faulty conclusions, and the facts that are actually being communicated.

Accept gracefully, and even thrive in the paradox that in situations where nothing seems to be enough, the work that gets done is enough. Engage everyone to prioritize and work creatively with the resources available. Empower people to do what they believe they can; eliminate the impossible.

Trust is an essential pre-requisite to performance; without it human relationships cannot be built or maintained and success is extremely illusive. It is very important to manage team and personal expectations so that everyone knows what’s expected of them and by when. Trust is built through three basic elements: sincerity, competence and reliability.

Know what motivates and excites each individual; find a place for that spark to be realized and utilized in the organization. Everyone wants to shine. By supporting an individuals’ strengths and showing them how they can complement and support each other, you will create a culture where ideas are readily shared, people “spark” off of each other, and high creativity and superior performance are the outcome. When people are encouraged to do and be their best, they take responsibility for making things happen.

Develop a strong culture of caring on your team, where members look out for each other and develop appropriate and specific ways of supporting each other, so that people actually relax and become more productive. Create the mood that supports the team’s mission. Communicate the mission to all concerned, and learn how to have the conversations that will allow people to align with the overarching goals.