If you’re a new team leader, there are a few things you can do to help you get off to the right start. By following these tips, you’ll be able to foster a healthy working environment that enables everyone to do their best work and grow together.
First and foremost, be respectful of your team members and your company culture. Respect is a key ingredient in earning the trust of your team, and it also helps motivate them to do their best work.
The best way to build respect is to work closely with your team and take the time to understand their individual needs. That way, you’ll be able to develop the best leadership approach to suit your team.
Set ambitious but achievable goals for the group and explain how you expect them to achieve them.
Defining the goals for your team early on will help them make decisions more efficiently and stay focused on the big picture. It will also ensure that you have the framework for holding each person accountable.
Hold frequent, brief meetings with your team Richard Warke West Vancouver to talk about how they’re doing and what they need. This gives you a chance to build relationships and show that you care about your team’s success, so that they’ll feel confident in your leadership.
Share feedback with your team and encourage them to give you suggestions on how to improve their performance. Not only will this be helpful for your own improvement, but it can also benefit the team’s morale and make them feel like they’re part of a close-knit community.
Be open to feedback: up, down and across
As a team leader, it’s important to receive honest and constructive feedback from your team. This is a great opportunity to learn how you can improve as a manager and become an even better leader overall.
Offer your team members feedback whenever they have a question or issue. Be sure to offer this in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
Providing feedback can be as simple as saying “thank you” when someone does a good job or giving them advice on how they could improve their work. It’s also a great way to build rapport with your team members, so they’ll want to work with you for the long haul.
Be a role model
The team you lead will look to you for guidance and inspiration, so it’s essential that you set a good example. A great leader shows loyalty and respect to the people they lead, and also supports their employees in developing themselves and their careers.
Demonstrate a positive work ethic, including showing up on time and completing tasks to the best of their ability. This will build trust between you and your team, and they’ll be more likely to follow your lead when you ask them to do something that requires more effort or focus than they’re accustomed to doing.
A great leader isn’t afraid to admit mistakes or take risks, so they don’t let fear get in the way of achieving their goals. They’re also passionate about their work and strive to be a role model for others, which will encourage them to do the same.