The first time you achieve a management position, it’s easy to feel a little nervous. Not only are you responsible for your own productivity, but the daily working capabilities, careers and even satisfaction of others. How people regard their workplace, how their careers develop, and how they appreciate their time under your leadership, all of this depends on your approach.
Now, the very worst thing you can do is try to be perfect, or try to be liked more than you’re trusted and respected. A boss that cares more about their image than being a functional part of the business can sometimes lose the respect of those they manage, be that never applying disciplinary measures or cultivating a vision they can believe in.
Yet it’s also true that in your deep desire to perform well for them, you may overthink your strategy. As they say, if you chase a butterfly too ferociously, the chances of you catching it are slimmer than ever.
It’s worth asking one question, then. Are you overthinking your team management? Let’s explore that, below:
Simple Delegation
It’s tempting to micromanage every detail as a manager, but it's much more beneficial to provide clear objectives and let your team find their own path to achieve them. This approach not only inspires their creativity but also builds confidence. It also allows you to focus on management and not only waste time in constant unnecessary oversight. In other words, delegation lets you breathe, which allows your team to breathe in kind.
Combined In-Person Or Virtual Workspaces
You might think it doesn't matter where people are working from if they know what they're supposed to be doing. Remote work can give that impression. But when everyone does get together in person, make it count. That could involve sharing a mutual workspace, even rented, to plan those intensive meetings that matter. It’s essential to keep everyone connected and on the same page, no matter where their desk happens to be, but that also means balancing working norms appropriately and keeping track of everyone.
Prioritization Of Tasks
A team that knows how to use their time is one that benefits you. Involve your team in this sorting process if you can. They're in the thick of it every day and probably have some good ideas about where to begin. A quick team huddle to go over what's on everyone's plate can work wonders each morning, but remember that things change, and adaptability is essential as a manager.
Trust & Development
Building trust with your team and helping them grow isn't something you can really force. But if you’re there when they need you, celebrate their wins (even the small ones), and have their back when things get tough, they’ll notice. As for helping them develop, think of it as an ongoing conversation rather than some formal, stuffy process. That might involve booking them on a placement or training course when the opportunity arrives. It also means letting them volunteer for skills growth options. If you can do that, they’ll be satisfied enough.
With this advice, you’ll take a good deal of confusion out of managing a team, and nurture your own style of leadership.
