Leading a team is a job not to be taken lightly. That is a role that requires a degree of diplomatic finesse and a lot of effort on your part. Some people think that being in charge of a team is all about delegating tasks and making unrealistic demands to meet targets, which is the furthest thing from the truth.
Effectively managing your team takes understanding and willingness to learn as you grow together. All relationships require effort, including your work-based ones. Take time to read these eight tips below – they will help you become the leader your team deserves.
1. Understand Body Language
Leaders, regardless of industry, all need to possess hard skills like budgeting and business development. That is not the only important skill set though, leaders should also possess soft skills such as listening and communicating.
Communication is so important, and part of it is body language. Not everything you say will come from your mouth – plenty of what you communicate is done through your body.
Pay attention to your body language with your team and try to spot the areas that need improving.
2. Communicate Effectively
Communicating as a leader or manager is a vital part of effectively leading your team. This is particularly important if you have recently started your own business. Set a positive tone by discouraging complaining and gossiping amongst your team, instead promote open and clear lines of communication.
Be transparent and communicate relentlessly, that way nothing will be open to interpretation.
3. Overcome Challenges Together
Overcoming challenges together is an important step in being an effective leader. Monitor the performance of your team by using a time tracker, it is vital to know where your team needs correcting and what behaviour needs to be adjusted.
Try to view this as an opportunity to improve your team and not as an excuse to punish the members. Challenges and problems can be overcome but only if you stick together.
4. Give Constructive Feedback
There are a few vitally important aspects to giving constructive feedback. Most importantly, you must ensure that your feedback is not personal; your job is only to critique their work performance.
Establish a trust relationship with your employees. This way your team will know that your feedback is designed to help them and not make them feel bad.
5. Reduce Stress
Organize fun team building activities to relieve some of the pressure and stresses that are placed on your employees. Stress is the nature of work, but some people find it harder to cope with stress than others.
Find enjoyable activities to partake in and sign your team up for some wonderful experiences; there is so much importance placed on employee wellness these days that it won’t be hard to find the option that suits your needs.
6. Improve The Energy In The Room
Take a hard look at the layout of your office space and make sure that it is designed in the best way possible. There needs to be a practical element to it as well as a visually pleasing one.
If you feel that there is something off, then Google a few options to make the energy in the office feel more positive. Positive energy is necessary for promoting holistic wellness within your working environment. After all, this is where you spend the majority of your day.
7. Create A Team Vision
Your team needs a vision; think of it as a manifestation of team goals. There are consistently going to be goals and targets that need to be met from the company’s perspective, but don’t leave out your team’s desires along the way.
Involve your employees in creating the best team vision to suit their unique personalities. Pick a team statement at the same time; it can be great for boosting your overall company culture – just remember to keep it short and sweet.
8. Be Their Cheerleader
Your team members need to feel that they are in a safe place so they can perform to the best of their ability. Let your employees know that they are valued, appreciated, and heard – this will go a long in improving their performance.
Never put too much pressure on yourself or them; pressure can be a healthy and positive thing but too much of it leads to destruction and a high staff turnover.
To End
Effectively leading a team takes a specific combination of hard and soft skills; once you’ve mastered that combination, then the sky is the limit! Be patient and be kind – you’ll be amazed by the results.