Managing a team can sometimes be precarious. Responsibility for the team’s well-being and performance mostly rests on the ability of the team lead or manager to lead and inspire members of the team to realize the organizational objectives. Bringing everyone on board and getting them to give a hundred percent may be more challenging than the task to be accomplished.
As a manager, what skills or leadership qualities do you need to possess in order to command the respect of your team? Here are a few tips for managing a team successfully.
1. Excellent communication skills
Keeping team members appraised on projects in progress, deadlines, new policies, and company objectives is paramount to achieving and maintaining good communication within the organization. Operating an open-door policy also plays a key role in fostering good working relationships, as it makes the manager accessible to receive feedback.
2. Create healthy working relationships
It is imperative for you to get to know your team members individually. People tend to respond positively when they are treated as human beings rather than tools to accomplish the tasks. Create team bonding exercises and showing genuine interest in their well-being builds better relationships amongst the team.
3. Be appreciative
Feedback should not only be given when something goes wrong. Acknowledging the team’s achievements will help to build confidence and create a sense of value.
4. Set realistic expectations
Being a manager, it is necessary to drive the team forward with the big picture of each goal. Nothing encourages a team more than success, no matter how small a victory it is. In the same way, a team can become discouraged if you set goals they can never meet.
5. Be real, be assertive
Your team doesn’t expect you to be superhuman, so if you’re feeling the pressure and need a helping hand, don’t be afraid to admit it and if you make a mistake, own up! By showing the human side of yourself and allowing your staff to get to know you a bit better, your team will feel more relaxed and comfortable approaching you. In the same light, a good leader needs to be able to assert their authority and make essential decisions for the team. There is no space for flakiness in a leadership role, so it is crucial that you stick to your guns and go with what you feel is best for the business.
