When it comes to leading your team effectively, there are many ways to do it right, but there are also many ways to do it wrong. To be an effective team leader, you need to remember the following twelve ways of being an effective team leader to lead by example and inspire greatness in your co-workers and employees.
Following these tips will ensure that you don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk as well.
- Have Some Compassion
Being a successful team leader is ultimately about being able to understand and relate to your employees. The best way to do that is to get in their shoes, lead by example, and show them what it means to be an employee at your company. Consider how you would like things done if you were working for you, and then do that. It’s no coincidence that successful companies are also those with happy employees—and happiness starts from within.
- Don’t Micromanage
While it may be tempting to constantly watch over your team, don’t micromanage them. For your team members to feel empowered and successful, they must be allowed to make decisions on their own.
- Be Empathetic
Empathy is essential to being a successful team leader because you need it to make your teammates feel safe sharing their weaknesses and fears with you.
- Speak Up
Speak up! A lot of leaders can be afraid to voice their opinions because they don’t want to upset or offend anyone. However, it’s important for you – as a leader – to share your ideas and thoughts with your team.
- Encourage Creativity
Encourage creativity in your team and make sure people are empowered to think outside of the box. Give them responsibilities that will allow them to think up new ways of doing things—or, better yet, give them responsibilities that require them to show initiative. Remind employees that it’s not enough for someone else to come up with an idea or for you as a leader to implement one; encourage everyone on your team (even if it’s just sometimes) to be creators, not just consumers.
- Define Your Expectations
Leaders who do not clearly define their expectations are doomed for failure. To be successful, your team needs to know exactly what you expect from them.
- Know When to Let Things Go
If you make a mistake, realize that it’s okay. Don’t let it be an excuse for failing. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
- Celebrate Successes
Whether it’s in your own personal or professional life, celebrating successes is one of the best ways to bring positivity into your team. If you have some good news, tell everyone on your team.
- Don’t Criticize
When leading your team, it’s easy to get frustrated when things aren’t going well as you’d like. If you want your staff members to perform better in their roles, it can help if you don’t criticize them for their mistakes. The key is not to point out what was done wrong, but rather why it should be corrected and how they can correct it in the future.
- Make the People Feel Important
Before you can lead your team, you need to make sure they feel important. There are many ways that you can do so. One of them is setting up one-on-one meetings with each of your team members.
- Be Sensitive to People
If you’re taking on the role of team leader, you’ll need to learn how to be empathetic toward others.
- Set A High Bar for People
People want to be led, but not into battle without weapons. The best way you can lead is by setting an example. Some leaders know the way, go the way, and show others how to go. Set expectations in your team so they know what’s expected of them and show them how it’s done first. You’ll inspire other people who have less experience than you or may be less inclined to work hard.
Conclusion
You must lead by example. As the team leader, you are seen as a representative of your organization. Nathan Garries is an effective leader and he knows how to manage, motivate, and trust his staff. Nathan Garries, CFP®, EPC®, CIWM®, FCSI® has been involved in financial advising, financial planning, and wealth management for over two decades, carrying on a family tradition of three generations.