Managing a team effectively is an art that requires patience and subtle tact. This article attempts to answer the query, how to manage a team, in order to ensure smooth operation and gain higher productivity.
As a manager, one's prime responsibility is to effectively manage a team. A well-managed team has proven to be more productive and innovative in its approach to all business issues. But managing a team is not all that easy, it requires deep insight, forethought, some planning and good team leadership . Probably, that is one of the reasons why many companies keep upgrading their manager's knowledge and skill through team management capsules or sessions. Before getting on with the concept of how to manage a team, let us understand what a team is. A team is a group of people with different skills that come together either for a short period or long term, to effectively work on assigned assignments, or perform daily operational tasks. Whether one is managing a new team, or managing a project team or any other team, the guidelines to manage and team building are alike; as the end goal of smooth and productive operations and services has to be met.
Effective Management of a Team
A manager is responsible for ensuring that the vision of the plan borne by the senior management on paper is efficiently and successfully implemented, and becomes a ground reality. There are just a few differences in a way a new team with new members is inducted, as opposed to a new team being formed with existing employees of the company. Here personnel management comes into play. A new team needs to be introduced, whereas a team of existing employees just need to get re-acquainted (if they work in different departments). Communication is the key to resolve all issues, including a conflict. As a team head, you should understand the goals and expectations that the senior management has from you as a team manager, while you should be well aware of all the vital information about the team you intend to lead. One of the important information you should educate your team is about the objectives, roles, authority and responsibilities, and deadlines.
The team manager should assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in assigning tasks to team members as well as its overall impact on the project. Make sure you delegate work based on the skills, knowledge and interest levels of each member. Synchronizing group development and effort will take time, but as a team head you need to facilitate these changes at a good pace. Be very clear with instructions, ambiguous language will only give rise to confusion and will create disharmony in the team. Make sure your team knows that with power comes responsibility and accountability. This needs to be handled delicately. The members will not take risk, even calculated ones, if they feel that their team head will not support them through a failure.
While being part of a team, bear in mind that the group will also watch for biased treatment on your part. Being biased towards a few is natural, however, what is not expected as a team manager is to act upon it consistently and blindly. Repeated incidents of biased behavior can have serious repercussions not only on the project, but will also cast a doubt on your ability to lead a team. Be stern where required, and soft where essential. It is a fine line, but balancing it well will reflect well on you. Make sure all your paperwork is also in place.
Team conflict of interest is an expected part of any organizations. Clash of thoughts, ideas, process, procedure or even attitude can derail a project if not handled well. However, not all conflict is bad, when well channelized it can be highly productive. While resolving conflict, study its causes and consequences well. Figure out the best way to resolve it, without sounding biased. Do not get involved into all conflicts, give time to the members to resolve it on their own. Let them know subtly that you trust their intelligence and experience, and have enough confidence that they will work through their conflicts. Inculcating or choosing people with more or less common shared values will ensure a good working relation among the team. Clearly define team's code of behavior and workplace ethics about what is and isn't acceptable. Personal issues, sexual misconduct and backbiting should not be encouraged.
A team manager has many powers which give them plenty of authority he/she can exercise while choosing team members, deciding who does what, what mode of communication to establish, developing and executing ideas, and motivating people. A good team manager is someone who can overlook a failure and ensure collective success for the group. All above-mentioned points should answer basic queries relating to 'How to Manage a Team'. To be a good team head, one must be a part of the team and lead by example.
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