Introduction to Team Management
I love people I encourage them and help them grow. Part of it is because of my faith and part of it is just who I am. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, I’ve realized how much I can’t wait to be around them again.
As I pondered this, I began to think about today’s topic. As business owners, the people in our teams are our biggest asset.
Although I believe that, I also think that managing this team can be very difficult. That’s why I’ve collected five points for each successful business owner.
As our teams return online after the shutdown, it’s time to fix the old issues and start a clean slot.
Understanding successful team management
We all desire to be successful in whatever we do. I believe that this is an inherited trait that is deeply embedded in every fiber of our being.
Success is easily measured in many cases. For example, players measure success in victory, stats, and personal achievements.
But it is also important to know how we measure successful team management? I believe that many key performance indicators can help us identify how we are performing when it comes to team management.
Some of the clearest signs of longevity are – how long your team has been together – effective communication and accountability.
The list of hints can go on. However, there are many things we can do as business owners to promote a successful and integrated team.
Our actions can destroy any other successful team as easily as they can form a team. The culture we create has a real and lasting impact on the direction of our people and our business. Let’s dig deeper by outlining the five points of successful team management.
Be flexible
As business owners, it can be difficult to deviate from the plans in which we spend most of our time. When we develop a business plan for 12-18 months that we believe in, it is difficult to deviate from the path that we have diligently identified.
However, some things are beyond our control, and when they do, we have to agree to adapt to our new circumstances.
Just look at the crisis of COVID-19 in the midst of which we find ourselves. A few months ago, none of us knew we would be in this position. And yet, we are here, changing our business strategies to suit the situation.
If we are to be flexible with our plans, so must we be with our most valuable assets: the people who make our teams! In our current situation, we need to be flexible enough to allow the team to work from home.
Similarly, it may be necessary to make adjustments for a team member who is going through a season of change. All of this is necessary for the name of helping the team succeed.
Just as business owners need to be flexible, our teams need to be flexible. I recently spoke to a business owner whose entire team surrounded him and demanded his dismissal because he could make as much money as he could from unemployment.
In the end, he refused because that’s what was best for the business. During times like these, we have to discuss that business is ultimately what each of us provides and that is why we, as a team, need to be flexible so that we can do business. Do whatever you can to save.
Have high expectations and be very clear about them
One of my favorite phrases we use around the office is B-HAG. It’s an acronym for Big, Hairy, Bold. Now, people with personalities like me often use B-HAGs for themselves and their businesses.
Along with these B-Hags comes a lot of expectations. Guys, I’ve been long enough to know that it can hurt people a little bit.
So, if our team is getting information about what is expected of them, how can we present successful team management?
The simple answer is, “Buy.” We need to involve our team whenever we are conducting strategic planning sessions and outlining our goals and expectations for the day, week, month, quarter, or year.
Give them a chance to make their voices heard and reflect on what they are saying. Maybe there is a compromise that can be compromised or maybe, they can offer much better than what you were thinking.
Having a team is very important, not only for the culture of your organization but also for the success of your projects because your team is your shoes on the ground. The team will implement plans to revive your B-HAGs.
In addition to having high expectations, we must communicate them clearly and effectively from the beginning. One example I can see as the economy opens up is a source of greatness for doctors and dentists.
There are potential backlogs for patients that need to be looked at that can upset their schedules. What used to be a 6-8-hour day, 4 days a week can easily be changed to a 10-12-hour day, 6 days a week.
These business doctors may plan and talk to their staff before re-planning so that their teams know what is expected of them. It may only be a short-term plan, but the team needs to understand and purchase it.
Ban office politics and gossip
Guys, if you’ve been following me for a long time, you’ve probably heard me say something about Gray Stone. I don’t always agree with him but when he’s right about something I have to give him credit (although he hates credit).
Dave Ramsey has a zero-gossip policy in his organization. This is because there is nothing that quickly destroys your business culture compared to office politics and gossip.
Ramsey’s philosophy is simple”When you’re in difficulty, keep your negativity up and your positives down”. Don’t talk about problems with people who can’t do anything about them,” he says.
Failure to address a problem in office politics can hurt business faster than anything else. However, not all business owners agree to be strong when it comes to dealing with differences in their company.
If this is you, then perhaps the best way to deal with the situation is to have an individual conversation. Again, be very clear on what needs to be changed and how it needs to be changed.
If the team member does not feel that they can comply with these changes, it is in everyone’s interest to move forward.
You see, this is a cultural issue. Successful team management involves building a strong company culture based on the values of our organizations.
All of this is a reflection of yourself. I have a farm so I try to think of things in a more agricultural sense. If I plant tomatoes in the greenhouse, the tomatoes are like my individual values, while the greenhouse is the culture as a whole.
One grass can spread and strangle my whole garden. Instead of leaving my plants to die, I simply remove them so that the rest of the garden can flourish.
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Empower your team
This is one of my favorite tips for successful team management. As I said before, I love people. Part of loving my team is allowing them to do something with minimal direction and just watching them do a great job with their unique abilities and talents.
None of us are perfect in every way so, as business owners, we need to be aware of our weaknesses and build a team that excels in our skills.
Once our team is in place, we need to prepare them. Give them the tools and resources to succeed and empower them to make suggestions or implement plans that enable them to use their gifts.
One of the things I tell business owners is to give up. I mean, we shouldn’t work as CEOs, general managers, accountants, sales teams, and human resources.
If we are, then there are probably areas of our business that are struggling. Allowing our teams to handle business without pulling the trigger without us could potentially be important in our business. More importantly, our team feels confident that they are valued and trusted as employees.
Treat your people well
I wish I didn’t say that, but the fact is that most of us have worked with people or some people who were just not good.
We want to make sure our team is comfortable, confident, and caring. That doesn’t mean we let them go – if we’re using a successful team management strategy, they won’t want to do it.
In such a way that the point of view comes without any animosity. It is very unlikely that our people will engage in negative behavior if we are promoting positive values and culture.
People, I love people but they can be difficult to manage. None of us is perfect, and it can create some messy situations from time to time.
However, it is possible to create a “dream team” if you start with these five points for successful team management.
I know life is hard. Life is hard and it can be frustrating, but with a great team, we can at least make it easier financially. Hey, let’s go out and make it a good day!
How did your advisory team do during the COVID-19 crisis? If you do not have a consulting team or are not satisfied with the team you are currently in, contact us! Our Greystone team is here to help.
