Supporting a team’s success in the modern workplace isn’t just about setting up the right infrastructure or sending employees off to development courses. Instead, it’s about creating a culture that fosters growth in every sense — professional, personal, and physical.
It’s important to understand, however, that health isn’t confined to physical well-being alone; it’s also linked to mental fitness, skill-building, and the kind of work environment that promotes a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
In other words, supporting a team means more than giving them a paycheck. Think in terms of actively investing in employees’ success.
Healthy Habits at Work
To begin with, supporting employees’ physical health should be a priority for any business. Providing healthy meals can go a long way in ensuring employees are well-nourished, energized, and ready to give their best.
Sadly, nutrition often gets overlooked, especially when quick and cheap options like fast food or snacks become a routine. However, the food people eat impacts their energy levels, mood, and performance.
Businesses don’t necessarily need to break the bank to achieve this goal. E.g., providing employees with healthy cheap rice meals is a cost-effective way to improve their overall well-being and productivity. Rice can be prepared in countless ways to create nutritious meals that fuel the body.
A great example of this approach can be seen at Walmart, where affordable rice-based meals became a regular offering in their cafeterias. These meals were designed to provide a balanced mix of proteins, vegetables, and grains to ensure employees had access to nutritious and filling options during their breaks.
Says Walmart manager Tara Thompson: “Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive. We found that offering rice meals, paired with fresh vegetables and lean proteins, was a great way to provide nutritious meals that kept our associates energized throughout the day.”
Allow for Regular Breaks
In addition to healthy eating, it’s equally important to offer and encourage regular breaks. Employees need the time and space to rest, refresh, and recharge. Breaks are crucial in preventing burnout, reducing stress, and boosting creativity.
There are many ways to get creative, too. E.g., Google has provided various ways for employees to get active during breaks, from walking paths on campus to on-site fitness centers. A break doesn’t just mean stepping away from the desk; it means engaging in activities that reset the mind and body.
“Breaks are essential for our team to feel refreshed,” says Jenny Li, a team lead at Google. “We’ve seen that when our people have opportunities to take breaks, particularly those that involve physical activity, they’re not only healthier, but their performance improves.”
A relaxed and refreshed team is also more likely to collaborate effectively and creatively. Many companies have embraced break structures that encourage employees to step away from work. Zappos, for example, has created relaxation zones and hosted events like yoga sessions for employees during lunch breaks. These initiatives help ensure that employees aren’t working long stretches without a mental reset, and they come back to their tasks feeling renewed and recharged.
Maintaining Clear Communication and Setting KPIs
An often-underestimated aspect of team success is maintaining clear communication. Open communication channels are critical for promoting transparency and collaboration. Clear communication is not just about keeping employees informed; it’s about ensuring that they understand their roles and how their work contributes to the company’s goals.
One of the key strategies to improve communication is the use of maintaining clear communication KPIs. By setting and tracking KPIs, employees know exactly what success looks like and what is expected of them. This type of transparency eliminates confusion and builds trust within teams.
Says Brian S. Baker, a director at Salesforce: “Our goal has always been to ensure that communication is clear and that everyone knows how their work contributes to the bigger picture. This transparency drives accountability and helps our teams perform better.”
Delivering Meaningful Appraisals
Another way to support a team’s success is by delivering meaningful appraisals. Effective performance reviews are more than just checking off a box; they are opportunities for growth and development. Employees need feedback that helps them understand where they stand, where they can improve, and where they excel. When done the right way, performance reviews can provide clarity and actionable steps for improvement.
IBM has long championed this approach with its system of ongoing feedback and performance reviews. In contrast to traditional annual reviews, the business has adopted continuous feedback systems, where employees receive real-time reviews and guidance. This has been instrumental in improving individual performance and organizational alignment alike.
Jennifer Walker, an HR leader at IBM, says, “We want to create a feedback loop that fosters growth. Instead of waiting for an annual review, we provide feedback and training continuously. This helps our employees understand their progress and guides them in developing skills that will serve them long-term.”
Another essential aspect of team support is incorporating skill-building opportunities. Companies that prioritize skill-building recognize that training is a two-way street; it benefits both the employee and the organization.
Amazon is a good example of the practice. “Every employee has the opportunity to learn and grow here,” says Sarah Chang, an Amazon team leader. “Whether they want to move into a new role or improve their skills in their current one, we provide the resources to help them succeed.”
A Balanced Approach to Employee Success
Overall, supporting a team is a multifaceted effort that requires attention to their physical, mental, and professional well-being. When these elements come together, a more cohesive, engaged, and motivated team is born.
Companies like Walmart, Google, IBM, and Amazon have demonstrated that promoting health through nutrition, offering skill-building opportunities, maintaining effective communication, and delivering meaningful appraisals aren’t just vague initiatives — they’re critical strategies for sustained success.
