As a leader, you’ll be responsible for leading what could be a large group of individuals. As more companies are operating around the world, it is possible that you’re also required to manage a virtual team that is located thousands or hundreds of miles away from where you’re located. So, what are my eight most essential tips for leading teams?
Tip 1: Establish specific goals or objectives
If your team is able to do anything, they must have complete certainty about what you want to accomplish in terms of outcomes or goals. Although this may seem straightforward, managers often fall into falling into the trap of creating unclear or undefined goals. To prevent this from happening, begin by being clear on the things you would like to see different from 1, 3, or even five years from now, and then reduce it to an obvious goal.
Tip 2. Facilitate more and facilitate less
In your role as the head of the team, consider yourself as the conductor of the orchestra rather than the player of an instrument. Your job is to draw out the best of everyone in the group to ensure that you can achieve the best performance and results.
Tipp 3: Learn how to listen
We all were given two ears and a mouth. However, often you’d believe it was the other way around. Do not fall into the trap of being the leader of your team or spending your time talking but with little or no contribution from the others.
Tip 4: Recognize teamwork instead of individual performance
If a person is going to be awarded based on what they have done individually, What incentive will they have to be a part of the team’s performance? Create reward structures that ensure that, if the team is successful, it is everyone who wins instead of having a focus on individual winners.
Tip 5: Stay be consistent
Every leader has their individual style that is to be required. However, it is essential for each team member to maintain some kind of uniformity in the way you lead. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out who the leader is in the room on a particular day, so ensure that you are as consistent as you can.
Tip 6: Act as an example to others.
As the team’s leader, you determine the direction for the others in the team. Your behavior, the way you interact, and how you manage difficulties and conflicts will all have an impact on the group. Set the tone you wish to establish and then set the tone for others.
Tip 7: Create opportunities
One of the significant benefits of working on a team is that you are often given a chance to work alongside others or accept new tasks. Make use of this as a chance to develop and grow as individuals.
Tip 8: Take accountability and give praise to others.
If things don’t go according to the plan, accept responsibility and don’t try to assign blame. If things go smoothly, don’t savor the praise and be adamant about praising other people.
The bottom line is that leading teams appear simple; however, in reality, it’s incredibly demanding. What are you supposed to do to ensure more results as a team leader?
