How to Lead a Team Effectively: 5 Tips for Successful Team Leadership

‍My friend has just told me an interesting work tale. They were asked if they would take on a colleague’s work for one day and happily agreed. On a normal day it would not be a problem. However, on this particular day there was a problem in terms of processes and as a result their own, existing, work would be affected.  They pointed this out to their manager.  Their response?  “Not two *”#* given.”  Verbatim.

My friend’s reaction was to not care either. They didn’t finish their own work and made no attempt to do so. In a consumer centric sector this will have a negative effect on their customers. It’s so important that EVERY single employee communicates the culture, vision and ethos of an organisation if it is to deliver a good customer experience and that’s why good leadership is crucial.

I’ve heard a few managers say they hate managing people. Leading a team of people is no easy task. It requires patience, communication, and the ability to foster a sense of collaboration and trust amongst team members. There are many studies conducted about what makes a good team leader and the list is long but here are five things that might have helped in this situation:

1. Lead by Example

As a manager, it’s essential to lead by example, demonstrating the behaviour and attitudes expected from team members – for example, being open to new ideas, showing respect for others, and displaying a positive attitude. This sets the standard for the rest of the team showing the same values and attitudes expected from them.

2. Create A Supportive Environment

A supportive work environment is one in which employees feel safe, understood, valued, and respected. A good leader will strive to create an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up and voicing their opinions – establishing an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

3. Establish Clear Goals and Expectations

One of the most important aspects of successful team leadership is setting clear and achievable goals for the team. This involves setting specific objectives, determining the roles and responsibilities of each team member, and providing a realistic timeline for each goal. It’s essential to be as clear and concise as possible when setting goals so that everyone on the team knows what is expected of them and how their individual efforts will contribute to the overall success of the team.

4. Provide Feedback and Recognition

Providing feedback and recognition to team members is another key element of successful team leadership. Providing team members with positive reinforcement when they complete tasks or achieve goals can be done through verbal recognition, written feedback, awards, or even edible gifts!

5. Utilise Different Leadership Styles

Another element of successful team leadership is utilising different leadership styles. Remember that individuals have different needs and preferences, so the leadership style should be adjusted accordingly. This could mean taking a more hands-on approach with some team members, while providing more autonomy to others.

My friend’s manager failed on so many levels. One they did succeed in is leading by example, unfortunately it was the wrong one. And because they didn’t care neither did my friend!!  If they had had given recognition for taking on more work, taken onboard the concerns and worked out a solution together – possibly involving others for support, maybe I would have been told a very different story and they would have been advocating for their employer!

To learn more about successful leadership www.mindtools.com is a great resource!