We’re breaking down a few of the most important concepts in team management!
Chances are if you’ve been in the workforce for a while, you’ve had a few managers, some you really liked and had a good relationship with, and others not so much. Think about your all-time favorite manager and your not-so-favorite. What did you like and dislike about their management styles? Did your like or dislike of this manager ever cause you to stay or leave a job?
Not only does good management lead to less employee turnover, but it also makes the workplace a happier environment. If you find yourself in a management role, recognizing your likes and dislikes in previous management can help you find your personal management style. It’s worth the effort to be open to learning about ways to improve your management, as the average American spends one-third of their life at work. Wouldn’t it be great if your time spent at work could be as stress- and drama-free as possible?
Sounds like a lot to take on, but don’t worry, we’re here to help! Today, we’ll break down a few of the most important concepts in team management.
1. Have a Vision
Wait… what are we doing here?
The easiest way to get uninspired is to not know what you’re working towards. That’s why it’s important for managers to keep their team in alignment by providing them with a big-picture vision. Visions will vary in scope from an overall vision statement that covers the business as a whole to smaller visions that apply to certain projects. Visions create cohesion and purpose within teams and remind them that there is a why behind the what. Here are some more tips on how to establish a vision.
2. Feedback is a Two-Way Street
Sometimes people learn to dread feedback because it is a) given too infrequently and is therefore uncomfortable, or b) solely negative. One way to reduce the dread of feedback is to give your team members feedback that is both constructive and positive, and make it a standard practice. What if you got a bit of feedback on everything you did? You’d learn a lot and you’d also stop being scared of it. Whether your feedback is positive or constructive, make sure it is honest and delivered with good intentions.
If you dish it out, make sure you can take it, too. Allow your team members to tell you what you do well and what you could do better. Here are more tips on how to deliver (and receive) great feedback.
3. Transparency Creates Honesty
Transparency means communication, communication, and more communication! It is well worth it, though. Transparency promotes trust between coworkers, helps to avoid oversights, and holds everyone accountable. Transparency means clear communication to each team member about their roles and your expectations, as well as about the status of the project and reasons behind changes that need to be made. If you’re interested in implementing more transparency into your management style, this article details how to outline work flows, establish individual roles, distribute data, and model accountability.
4. Use Great Tech
Some of us have love/hate relationships with technology. But if you’re not utilizing some of these apps that have been designed to help managers streamline their processes and clarify their vision, you’re really missing out!
Lili, an online bank designed specifically for contractors, not only allows you to separate business and personal accounts, but also comes with easy to use features like tax optimizer tools, invoicing, and expense management. In addition, check out time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest to help track your team member’s time for payment, invoicing, and budgeting.
Even if your needs are quite niche, there is probably a software or app that will be perfect for you. For other tech resources, check out this post on 45 Apps and Tools for Contractors.