Last updated on Jul 11, 2024

You have a team member who thrives on independence. How can you build trust and collaboration with them?

Managing a team effectively requires understanding and adapting to the individual working styles of team members. When you have a team member who thrives on independence, it may seem challenging to integrate their approach with the collaborative needs of the team. However, this is an opportunity to foster an environment where trust and autonomy lead to greater innovation and productivity. By respecting their need for independence while gently guiding them towards collaboration, you can create a balanced dynamic that benefits both the individual and the team.

1 Assess Needs

To build trust with an independent team member, start by assessing their needs and expectations. Engage in open dialogue to understand what drives their desire for autonomy. This will help you identify opportunities where their independent work can be aligned with team objectives. By showing a genuine interest in their working style and providing them with the resources they need to succeed, you demonstrate that you value their contributions while also setting the stage for collaborative efforts.

Add your perspective

Harish Kumar

Top People Management Voice | B2B Marketing | End-to-End Sales Process Expertise | Generalist | Avid Learner
Have a one-v-one meeting with them and understand their working nature. Discuss their past experience on what they have done and what they haven't. Understand their communication process on how effective they are at updating and setup a proper medium of communication.
Like
Report contribution

2 Set Expectations

Once you have a clear understanding of your independent team member's preferences, it's important to set clear expectations for both independent and collaborative work. Clearly communicate the team's goals and how their individual contributions fit into the larger picture. Establishing mutual goals can help them see the value of collaboration and encourage them to engage more with the team without feeling like their independence is being compromised.

Add your perspective

Folke Christoph Grigo

Director People & Culture at Everphone 📲♻️
Aus meiner Perspektive ist es entscheidend klare Erwartungen zu setzen um Vertrauen aufzubauen. Man sollte auch die Arbeitsweise verstehen und dann sowohl individuelle als auch gemeinsame Ziele setzen. Wichtig ist zu verstehen wie diese Beiträge zum Erfolg des Teams beitragen.

Translated
Like
Report contribution

3 Foster Autonomy

Encouraging autonomy is key to maintaining trust with a team member who values independence. Allow them the freedom to manage their tasks and make decisions within their realm of expertise. This empowerment not only builds trust but also motivates them to take ownership of their work. When they feel their autonomy is respected, they are more likely to be open to collaborating and sharing their insights with the team.

Add your perspective

4 Encourage Collaboration

While respecting their independence, also create opportunities for your team member to collaborate in ways that play to their strengths. Facilitate group projects that require a diverse set of skills, ensuring that there's a clear role for them where they can contribute meaningfully. Encourage them to share their work and ideas in team settings, which can lead to a greater sense of belonging and appreciation for collective efforts.

Add your perspective

5 Provide Feedback

Constructive feedback is essential for any team member, but for those who thrive on independence, it's important to focus on how their individual work contributes to team success. Offer recognition for their achievements and provide guidance on how they can further enhance their collaboration with the team. This feedback loop reinforces the value of their work and helps them understand how they fit into the team's broader mission.

Add your perspective

6 Build Relationships

Lastly, building personal relationships with your independent team member can bridge the gap between autonomy and collaboration. Take the time to connect on a human level, showing that you care about them beyond their work contributions. Stronger interpersonal bonds can lead to better teamwork, as trust and mutual respect form the foundation of effective collaboration.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

You have a team member who thrives on independence. How can you build trust and collaboration with them?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Set Expectations

3 Foster Autonomy

4 Encourage Collaboration

5 Provide Feedback

6 Build Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

People Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on People Management

More relevant reading

You have a team member who thrives on independence. How can you build trust and collaboration with them?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Set Expectations

3 Foster Autonomy

4 Encourage Collaboration

5 Provide Feedback

6 Build Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

People Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills