How to Build a Team That Can Cope With Challenges
Follow these tips to help your employees manage issues large and small as well as ensure a stress-free renovation
Amanda Pollard
18 May 2021
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
A beautifully finished renovation might look seamless at the end, but few projects are completed without a hiccup or two along the way. The key to dealing with these challenges is to ensure your team has the tools to overcome any issues without them affecting the project, your relationship with the client, or the general wellbeing of everyone involved. Here, three UK-based renovation professionals tell us how they boost resilience in their teams.
Contributing professionals: Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design; Jeff Kasfikis of Big Bean Construction; Katie Malik of Katie Malik Interiors
Contributing professionals: Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design; Jeff Kasfikis of Big Bean Construction; Katie Malik of Katie Malik Interiors
Create good systems
A company that’s run like a well-oiled machine will find it easier to adapt to unforeseen challenges. Katie Malik recommends you spend time putting together good work systems.
“All my team members are on the same page about their roles, responsibilities, and the ways they interact with one another,” she says.
“Sometimes, we have to improvise and develop new ideas or ways of handling challenges and adjust to changing circumstances in real time, particularly in the final stages of a project,” she says. “Since we have a lot of experience, and systems in place, we’re able to access existing knowledge from past experiences and creatively reconfigure it to develop new [systems] when facing a setback.”
A company that’s run like a well-oiled machine will find it easier to adapt to unforeseen challenges. Katie Malik recommends you spend time putting together good work systems.
“All my team members are on the same page about their roles, responsibilities, and the ways they interact with one another,” she says.
“Sometimes, we have to improvise and develop new ideas or ways of handling challenges and adjust to changing circumstances in real time, particularly in the final stages of a project,” she says. “Since we have a lot of experience, and systems in place, we’re able to access existing knowledge from past experiences and creatively reconfigure it to develop new [systems] when facing a setback.”
Keep communicating
It’s important to ensure everyone on your team is up to date on all aspects of a project in order to deal quickly with any issues that may arise.
“We hold team meetings three times a day and I plan my time to make sure I’m available for my team, should they have any questions, concerns or simply be struggling,” says Katie. “That way, they feel supported and that we can find solutions to any challenge together. If one of us feels overwhelmed, another person can take over or suggest a way of dealing with a challenge.”
“Problems arise when some part of the team is not clear on deadlines, requirements or responsibilities,” says Claudia Dorsch. “We keep several routes of communication open and active, such as email, WhatsApp groups and file sharing. We update drawings and instructions regularly, and schedule calls and site visits. We circulate meeting minutes, then follow up on outstanding items.”
A business management tool such as Houzz Pro can help with this, as it will enable you to update all information, drawings and schedules in one place where your whole team can access it frequently.
It’s important to ensure everyone on your team is up to date on all aspects of a project in order to deal quickly with any issues that may arise.
“We hold team meetings three times a day and I plan my time to make sure I’m available for my team, should they have any questions, concerns or simply be struggling,” says Katie. “That way, they feel supported and that we can find solutions to any challenge together. If one of us feels overwhelmed, another person can take over or suggest a way of dealing with a challenge.”
“Problems arise when some part of the team is not clear on deadlines, requirements or responsibilities,” says Claudia Dorsch. “We keep several routes of communication open and active, such as email, WhatsApp groups and file sharing. We update drawings and instructions regularly, and schedule calls and site visits. We circulate meeting minutes, then follow up on outstanding items.”
A business management tool such as Houzz Pro can help with this, as it will enable you to update all information, drawings and schedules in one place where your whole team can access it frequently.
Give everyone a voice
Create a culture where everyone feels safe to communicate, advise our professionals.
“We expect everyone to be able to communicate and deliver opinions and ideas,” says Jeff Kasfikis. “It ensures effective brainstorming and creativity.”
Trust is key for Katie, who says, “[At my company,] it’s safe to offer unusual or creative ideas without fear of being criticised or singled out by fellow team members.
“We all care about every single project and client, so we work towards a common goal of ensuring each project is successfully completed,” she adds.
Create a culture where everyone feels safe to communicate, advise our professionals.
“We expect everyone to be able to communicate and deliver opinions and ideas,” says Jeff Kasfikis. “It ensures effective brainstorming and creativity.”
Trust is key for Katie, who says, “[At my company,] it’s safe to offer unusual or creative ideas without fear of being criticised or singled out by fellow team members.
“We all care about every single project and client, so we work towards a common goal of ensuring each project is successfully completed,” she adds.
Plan for the worst
As well as keeping on top of challenges as they arise, Claudia suggests you also plan for future issues.
“It’s human nature to avoid problems and there’s a tendency to avoid difficult topics until they start ‘burning’, so we practise forward-looking problem anticipation,” she says. In their morning meetings, Claudia and her design team discuss the week ahead and any crucial milestones that need to be achieved.
“We review those at the end of the week and we specifically ask ourselves: what is the worst case that could happen, what could go wrong, and where are the potential pitfalls on each project in terms of design or implementation?” she says.
As well as keeping on top of challenges as they arise, Claudia suggests you also plan for future issues.
“It’s human nature to avoid problems and there’s a tendency to avoid difficult topics until they start ‘burning’, so we practise forward-looking problem anticipation,” she says. In their morning meetings, Claudia and her design team discuss the week ahead and any crucial milestones that need to be achieved.
“We review those at the end of the week and we specifically ask ourselves: what is the worst case that could happen, what could go wrong, and where are the potential pitfalls on each project in terms of design or implementation?” she says.
Share knowledge
You can increase resilience in your staff by arming them with information. This will help every member of the team to get involved with combatting challenges, even if it isn’t their specialty.
“We look to give the team experience in all fields of construction and refurbishment,” says Jeff. “This builds confidence at all levels and ensures the labour has the ability to undertake the expected tasks.”
You can increase resilience in your staff by arming them with information. This will help every member of the team to get involved with combatting challenges, even if it isn’t their specialty.
“We look to give the team experience in all fields of construction and refurbishment,” says Jeff. “This builds confidence at all levels and ensures the labour has the ability to undertake the expected tasks.”
Avoid finger-pointing
Nobody wants to be the cause of a mistake, so it’s tempting to direct attention to others when something goes wrong.
This can be counterproductive in a team, Claudia says. “Most importantly, when a problem arises, you have to keep positive and look for solutions, not share around the blame,” she says. “It’s best to look forward, stay positive and be solution-oriented.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Nobody wants to be the cause of a mistake, so it’s tempting to direct attention to others when something goes wrong.
This can be counterproductive in a team, Claudia says. “Most importantly, when a problem arises, you have to keep positive and look for solutions, not share around the blame,” she says. “It’s best to look forward, stay positive and be solution-oriented.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Trade Shows
Trade Shows: Why They're Important Events You Don't Want to Miss
From networking to insights into new and emerging trends, here's why trade shows should be a firm 'yes' in your calendar
Full Story
Interior Design
What's Next in Homes? 4 Design Experts Reveal
Do you know which colours, shapes and styles we'll be coveting in the year ahead? Four design pros give the inside scoop
Full Story
For Pros
5 Simple Strategies to Help Your Clients Stick to Project Plans
Avoid the pitfalls of indecision and shifting plans with UK pros' easy solutions to inspire confidence in your clients
Full Story
Sustainable Ideas
8 Steps to Becoming a Truly Sustainable Interior Designer
What key things can you do to reduce the carbon footprint of your projects and business, long-term? Find out here
Full Story
Trends
6 Trends From Salone de Mobile: The Stories Behind the Designs
See how the design industry is moving forward with one foot in tradition and the other in experimentation and innovation
Full Story
For Pros
Given the Economy, Why Are Professionals Positive About Growth?
The Houzz Australia State of the Industry report uncovers optimism and reveals pros' strategies for growth in 2023
Full Story
Colour
Paintbrushes Poised! 2023 Dulux Colour Awards Finalists Are In
Looking for interesting ways to add colour at home? Check out these shortlisted projects in the 2023 Dulux Colour Awards
Full Story
Renovating
What's the Outlook for Renovations in 2023? Experts Weigh In
There's light at the end of the tunnel for renovators and builders this year, but patience and flexibility are key
Full Story
Awards
Sir David Alan Chipperfield Wins the 2023 Pritzker Prize
The English architect is known for honouring history and culture while creating timeless modern design
Full Story
Trade Shows
6 Surface Materials Your Clients Will Crave in 2023 and Beyond
Discover the top six innovative materials that were on display at this year’s Surface Design Show in London, UK
Full Story
Plan, plan and plan some more. Plan C has to be as well thought through as plan A. We had an issue a couple of years ago installing 40 shower screens into very high end apartments. The time frame was very narrow, ten days between main contractor completion and occupation. Every single detail had been planned in advance (arrival and distribution of 2.5 tons of glass being the main event. A big fixing supplier were late in delivering bespoke screws. It was a complete fluk that I had arranged screws from an alternative supplier and had forgotten to cancel the order. This still haunts me but what I've learned is don't trust any part of the supply chain, each detail needs to be managed through. Another frequent one for me is open and inspect all deliveries in advance, I can't count the number of time something has arrived on site and is the wrong thing but its been sitting in storage for days before. The error could have been discovered and resolved in advance but this opportunity was lost simply by not opening a package. Project management = Don't trust anybody, you have to see it with your own eyes.
Let everyone feel validated regardless of what position they occupy, let them understand that their role is very important. Personal motivation is most critical when there is a potential crisis.
People are different, and bring with them certain strengths and weaknesses, get to know each team member strength and weakness, let them know you know and let them be aware also of themselves. This way the system is honed and primed to function to its maximum capabilities.
All great team innovation starts with self awareness.