Part of being a great leader is being you. And this may not be the answer you want to hear. Whether you are heading up a new team or you are taking over an existing one, doing this for the first time can be one of the most daunting experiences. After all, you have to be the person that motivates them, nurtures them, while simultaneously getting the results needed from top brass. But how can we learn to lead a team when we have no experience, or we feel we don't have the goods?
By Team Savant
Image: Marten Bjork
Lead By Example
When we consider the behaviours we want from our team members, it's not right to tell them to do one thing and for us to do another. If you encourage your employees to cycle to work but they see you driving past, this will only serve to build the gulf between you. When you want your team to exhibit certain habits and attitudes, you have to do these things too. Many people talk about faking it until they make it, but this is soon unmasked. This can only reduce your credibility. Instead, if you remain open, honest, and focus on fairness and respect without providing favouritism, you'll soon find these behaviours reciprocated.
Investing Time In The Role
For someone who has never led a team before, you may find yourself like a rabbit in the headlights. When you are tasked with leading a team it's important to make time to lead. When you have so many things to do and are caught up in your own tasks, you may unwittingly neglect your team. Take the opportunity to step back and assess everybody's needs and if you are meeting them. If you are not able to give them the goods, it's important to start learning about your team while also understanding the fine art of what leaders actually do. Many people feel being a leader is all about being the boss. Unfortunately, there are so many people around that feel in order to be a leader they've got to be some sort of General Patton. This is not the case.
Learn & Improve
Whether it's from the mistakes you make, or from poor performers learning from every single mistake will strengthen your armour. As a leader, we've got to be quick thinking. We need to recognise good performance and reward it as soon as possible, but we also need to act when there is a problem in the ranks. There will be challenging conversations ahead with rogue employees but it's important to do these things in private. But also, these difficult situations will help you to learn how to handle them better, despite the initial fact that they can be emotionally taxing. In addition to this, you will also learn what your upper threshold is; as such, you'll have to learn how to delegate effectively. But as well, you need to learn how to enjoy the role. It can be a challenge but if you are ready for this challenge, rather than feeling you are not equipped for the role, you will be the leader you want to be.