To lead a team is often not simple. There are the complexities of emerging issues, competing priorities and team dynamics. As leaders, however, there are simple, powerful things we can do that greatly benefit the team. . .and, oh, by the way, make our jobs just a little bit easier. Some of these are very basic, but sometimes it is the most basic things that build a strong foundation.
1. Treat Your Team as You Wish to be Treated. At times, I am amazed and bewildered when I hear managers complain about treatment received at the hand of their bosses. . .but then they turn around and do the same thing to their team. Being a leader does not free you from the golden rule of treating others as you wish to be treated, instead it should bond you to it.
2. Listen as Much as (or More Than) You Talk. I've watched leaders struggle mightily with this: they are under the perception that to lead, they should be doing the majority of the talking. I have found that the power of listening, and responding, is often more powerful. Strong listening is an expenditure of time that builds the team, gets information and utilizes that information to further the mission of the company as well as the professional trajectory of the team member.
3. Allow Team Members to be Right. There are work environments in which the perception is that the only "right" answer could be garnered from the leader. (Often this is a perception that is groomed by the leader.) Not only is this impractical, it disenfranchises the workplace. For the strength of the enterprise, team members must have ownership of coming up with the right answers - it lightens the burden on the leader and produces a stronger outcome.
4. Promote Cross-Functional Teamwork. The more interdepartmental interplay and cooperation there is - the higher the degree of professional satisfaction which contributes to better outcomes. Don't silo team members. Instead, within the charter of the organization, encourage them to "play well with others." They (and you) will receive more information about the business. You will also be amazed at the degree of cooperation you receive if your team is recognized as building cooperation with others.
5. Be Both Knowledgeable and Willing to Learn. Be a strong source for your team and also demonstrate your ability to learn more than you know.
6. Prioritize. Positively prioritize and edit workload. Move things up that will produce the greatest results. Eliminate workload that really doesn't matter.
7. Make Sure Your Team Understands the Mission and Their Role in the Mission. Every team member should have a role in the mission of the enterprise - if not, you don't need the position. Check in with your team members regularly to assure they have a strong understanding of their contribution.
8. Be Grateful. It is nearly impossible to express gratitude often enough, or in enough ways. "Thank you for a job well done" feeds the brain because it reinforces that the leader appreciates the way a strategy or tactic was executed - it also feeds the heart and soul because the expression and receiving of gratitude is one of the most basic necessities of life.
If you liked this article - please share it with others.
Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" available for e-readers, PCs, tablets and Apple products on Amazon Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Questions-Confident-Leaders-ebook/dp/B0095KPA6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370567288&sr=8-1&keywords=courageous+questions%2C+confident+leaders
No comments:
Post a Comment