Every manager should possess a healthy set of team management skills. If you are currently managing a team, you should always try to hone these skills for your team to succeed constantly. To start, you must ensure that everyone on your team is on the same page. Setting clear expectations for your members and making them aware of what you need from them is also a good point.
What is Team Management?
Team management is a manager’s ability to lead a group toward a common goal. Efficient team management involves providing ample support, effective communication, and a constant motivation for all its members.
With team management skills in place, team members are inspired to perform to the best of their abilities and continue to grow together as colleagues or professionals. Management approaches may differ depending on the context of your work environment. Some managers utilize the authoritative system, while others opt to lead their group in a relaxed and more casual way.
On the other hand, different team members may respond to specific management styles depending on their preferences. Putting the needs of your team on top of your priorities is a crucial element of team management.
What is the Importance of Team Management?
Team management is the wheel that makes the workplace run. If even one of the gears is broken, misplaced, or going in a different direction, the wheel won’t run smoothly or won’t run at all. As a manager, you must then aim for unity among your people. Here are the reasons why team management is essential within the workplace:
- A unified approach is utilized through effective strategies to facilitate projects that a company or team is working on.
- Through active listening, open communication between managers and members is in place. It then provides a gateway for productive brainstorming and ideas.
- Negotiating and critical thinking skills improve the team’s problem-solving abilities. It enables them to face dilemmas and find solutions to their hurdles.
- Team management makes the company’s vision crystal clear. It ensures that all team members, from top to bottom, work toward a clearly defined common goal.
- Everyone becomes accountable. Roles, responsibilities, and expectations of managers and team members are distinctively outlined.
What are the Skills for Effective Team Management?
Whether you are a seasoned or a new manager, you and your team can benefit from growing your managerial skills by applying a list of tried-and-tested methods and adopting practices that have been proven to work for other managers over the years. Below are a few ways you ought to give a try to hone your skills as a team leader within the workplace:
Aim to serve rather than manage.
Great managers revealed that they focused on serving rather than managing their people. Simon Sinek said, “Truly effective and inspiring leaders aren’t driven to lead people; they are driven to serve them.” As a manager, keep your team members’ best interests in mind. Strive to support and assist them in achieving their individual and team goals.
Furthermore, a good manager leads by example. He models what should be done through actions instead of merely giving orders and delegating tasks. So set a good example. Act accordingly and deliver excellent output. Your people will surely follow suit.
Set clear boundaries.
Yes, you have to serve your team, but you have to know where the limits are. Treat them with kindness and respect, but don’t neglect setting boundaries and asserting your authority. Make them aware that your job is to ensure their work gets done efficiently rather than you doing it for them. Otherwise, disciplinary action will be in place. One way to set these boundaries is by giving your people a clear understanding of their responsibilities and roles.
Keep open communication.
Maintaining open communication gives people a sense of belongingness and connection. Feeling heard and valued will lead to a sense of overall job satisfaction, confidence, and productivity. It also makes the workplace transparent, encouraging creativity and accountability among the team members.
In addition to your managerial roles, you should also provide your team with all the relevant information. While doing this, feedback from your employees should be encouraged as well. Set an example by being an attentive listener. Consider your team’s ideas and address them politely and respectfully.
Communicating with and keeping your team updated is a stress-free task in today’s digital age. It does not always involve talking in person. Various apps are available on your devices where you and your colleagues can stay in touch and exchange ideas.
Know where you’re standing.
A good manager doesn’t always assume he’s right. Always keep in mind that learning is lifelong. Even if you’re the most seasoned in the group, you will undoubtedly learn something from your younger colleagues. Keep an open mind about what these youngsters can teach you or contribute to the team.
Stay in the game by keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. Invest in your leadership enhancement and professional development.
Be open-minded.
Change can be a good thing. It always pays to have room for change. Learn how to adapt your management style when necessary. You must understand that your team members are unique and may respond differently to different approaches. You have ways of getting things done; theirs will not always be like yours. Don’t be rigid in your methods, especially when there is another way to produce more results.
Encourage and exude positivity.
Work can be stressful. That is why your workplace with the people in it could use a bit of humor and some light-heartedness. These take away the tension and can have a remarkably positive effect on teamwork and productivity.
Whenever possible, organize fun outings. Do something that eases workplace tension. Reward your team for the hard work they’ve been putting in. Liven up the environment with feel-good decorations such as plants, motivational quotes, and bright colors. When appropriate, sharing a joke with the group can go a long way. These efforts can foster a culture of happiness and promote job satisfaction among your people.
Advocate for each of your team member’s growth.
Great managers don’t just lead their team to reach their personal goals or the company’s. By supporting and nurturing their team, he builds them up and helps them grow as people and professionals. Get to know them and learn some of their personal goals and interests.
Encourage them to dream and help them to achieve these. Watch out for opportunities that can enrich them. Have them attend workshops they can use for work and in their contexts.
Giving constant positive feedback for a job well done is among a good manager’s task list. Similarly, constructive criticisms, however hard to deliver, are crucial in nurturing your people. They have to know whether they’re doing well; otherwise, they will not learn.
Are you looking for a space where you and your team can work? UOffice Executive Suites offers good coworking space in Houston. Our areas might suit your job and team requirements. We have hot desks, private offices, hybrid offices, conference rooms, and various forms of memberships. Call us today at 214-406-3326. You can also send us a message at jmerritt@rfs-inc.net.