I’ve been looking through quite a few CVs recently and one of the things that many people say in the opening (summary) paragraph is that they ‘work well on their own initiative’ They often then go on to claim that they are also a ‘team player’. But, if you don’t just want to be part of a team and, instead, want to manage a team, what skills and attributes should you be looking to develop?
How do you get the results from your team that will help you to shine and make your department function more efficiently?
There are many skills that can help you succeed in the line manager role, and no two people’s style is exactly the same, but here are some qualities that are essential:
Good Communication Skills
This includes both written and oral communication. You must be able to write good reports, emails and letters. You must also be able to give instructions (verbal and written) in clear, concise language. Also, it’s important to check that what’s clear to you is clear to other members of the team and that they fully understand your instructions.
But communication isn’t just about talking to others. Listening is an important skill too. You need to understand what your team members are thinking so that you know whether they are feeling motivated and involved. It’s also important because you need to make sure that you don’t miss out on any suggestions, good ideas – or potential problems and concerns – that they might want to pass on to you.
Empathy
Having empathy (understanding what makes other people ‘tick’) is essential as it improves your ability to help and support your team members at the times when they need it most. If someone comes to you with difficulties – either work or home related – being able to empathize makes it more likely that you will be able to help them.
If people feel you actually listen to them and care about them, then they are more likely to be loyal and work hard for you.
Leadership Skills
You need good leadership skills so you can inspire, motivate and support your team, so that they produce their best work.
But in order to lead effectively you need to be organised yourself. So don’t feel that time thinking, planning and prioritising, rather than ‘doing’, is wasted. It’s better to know exactly what yourself and other team members need to do rather than just running round looking busy but not achieving anything. Also, practise the art of delegation. Make sure that you really use your team – don’t overwork them, but trust them and ensure that each member is using his or her strengths and skills to the most so that your project runs smoothly.
Decision Making
If you are the leader, then it’s your responsibility to make the hard decisions (as well as the easy ones). And when you’ve done this you must be willing to take responsibility for the consequences, good or bad.
If you’ve delegated sensibly then you should be in a position to look at the wider position and if you can do this, then it should help you with the decision-making process. Always look at all the facts at your disposal, do your research thoroughly, think carefully, listen to what others have to say, but once you’ve made up your mind, then act decisively.
Perhaps most importantly of all, your team needs to respect you. You can earn this respect by being reliable, honest and upholding the same standards you expect of your employees. Plus, never forget that when your team succeeds it’s a joint effort – don’t take all the credit for yourself. It’s the best way I know to lose the goodwill of your workers.
Author: Diana Nadin
