Team building is perhaps one of the most sought-after tactics an organization needs, irrespective of industry. It involves the inclusion of all department members to perform a task(s). Doing so develops a sense of belonging amongst workers and improves efficiency and motivation. The involvement of all employees boosts their confidence. Developing these skills can also increase your chances of doing well in your workplace. Working as a cohesive group is something every organization aims to achieve at every level because doing so improves productivity and cost-effectiveness.
Along with having departmental teams, it’s also necessary to have managers or supervisors look over the group of employees to ensure equal involvement and contribution. To help leaders get better at managing teams, here are some skills that will come in handy when forming teams.
1) Do you have what it takes to be a leader?
Many people believe having a loud voice makes them good leaders. However, that’s not the case. Being a leader requires a lot more than just that. You have to be productive and flexible and have a never-say-die attitude – you must be the best version of yourself. Your team will only be as good as you are, which is why you must give it your everything. Critical thinking, time management, and good decision-making are some salient features of a good leader.
However, if you believe you lack leadership skills, it’s never too late. There are plenty of ways to polish your skills and learn the ropes. You may either enroll yourself in a short course or an online liberal studies degree to help you achieve all the characteristics required to become a brilliant leader.
2) Delegation of tasks
Delegating tasks is the very first step to take. When forming a new team, team leaders must entrust all members with assignments. To do so, you must allocate each member with a task. You must thoroughly explain to your team members what you require of them.
When assigning your colleagues tasks, try to make sure you give them something that falls in their area of expertise. However, this does not mean you can be lenient with them. It’s essential to have deadlines; the employees stay motivated and keep track of time. Have clear goals in mind and make sure your team members reach those goals by having deadlines. Last but not least, always give your brutally honest critique.
3) Lead by example
Along with guiding and briefing customers, leaders should carry out their duties like good team members and set an example. Be the person you want all of your teammates to be, reflect the characteristics you want to see in them. Start by working on yourself; think about how your actions and words would affect your fellow teammates; always be open to constructive criticism. In turn, this humbles down your employees because if the leader can take some feedback, anyone can.
4) Keep them Motivated
It’s crucial to build up and maintain the team’s motivation, irrespective of how tedious a task is. Just having a charismatic and dynamic personality is a good enough motivator for co-workers. Being optimistic, regardless of how bad things get, can increase the team’s motivation to a great extent. Monetary incentives are, perhaps, the single greatest motivators for employees. The better the performance is, the greater the incentive will be. Another great motivator is receiving positive reprehension.
5) Having a solution
Dissension amongst employees could stir up a hornet’s nest. You should know how to deal with a group of riled-up employees and help them understand each other’s opinions. Addressing problems can lead to reconciliation, leading to a stronger bond amongst colleagues. Coming to grips with things before they escalate is necessary. However, if a problem does persist, analyze and assess the issue at hand and come up with a solution. Sometimes, not every solution may be resolvable, which is why it’s necessary to adapt according to the given situation.
6) Be empathetic
Being able to understand what your employees are going through increases their adoration and respect for you. Give some one-on-one time to them, talk to them about their problems, and make them feel loved. You may do so by understanding the point of view of your colleagues or by just being a careful listener.
7) Communication is key
Your team must possess superb communication skills – both verbal and writing. You will need both sets of skills to plan out and delegate objectives. Along with that, good communication skills amongst all team members will help each member express themselves better than they would’ve thought. However, a crucial aspect of having good communication skills is effective communication. Without being a good listener, you can never be a good communicator.
Though you may have a more passive speaking role, you can understand a lot about your team by the way they speak and their nonverbal gestures. People say a lot through them, which is why you should notice each nonverbal cue. You, too, should convey your message through your body because your body language does wonders – it helps people understand what you intended to say.
8) Dependency
In difficult situations, what a member needs most is a leader they can fall back on. That’s the real test for a leader – to put their leadership qualities to work. Lending a helping hand to your co-workers and participating when needed will give your colleagues have a sense of assurance. In turn, it may make them want to trust you and rely on you when needed.
Conclusion
A team is nothing without someone to guide, motivate, and give them direction. Without clear-cut instructions, a team can most definitely fall apart. That’s why it’s necessary to have a leader that also acts as a team member. To become such a leader, you can go through the skills mentioned above, which will help you become a better leader, team maker, and team member.
Ronald McCarthy is a Freelance SEO Specialist based in Florida, US.
