Let me ask you some questions.
As a leader do you avoid delegation?
Do you believe that you’re the only one qualified for the job?
Does every decision at the workplace revolve around you?
Do you want everything to be done your way?
Do you check everyone’s work?
Do you oversee everything for your approval?
Do you feel irritated when an employee decides without consulting you first?
Do you want to know where are your employees and what they are doing at every moment of the day?
If you answer yes to some or most of these questions, then as a leader you are not leading the team. You are just telling, controlling and micromanaging them.
And this often results in a toxic work environment where there is no trust, creativity and autonomy. Employees will lose confidence in their abilities. They will stop taking initiative. And worst, this will lead to unwanted employee turnover and under-developed staff.
Leading is about coaching, mentoring and guiding. In leading there is respect, support, trust, growth, encouragement and empowerment. Everyone on the team deserves the time, space, and authority to do their job.
Here are some ways on how to lead.
- Delegate
When you delegate, focus on the result and not on the way to the result. It is important not to tell the step-by-step procedure but focus on the desired outcome. In this way, you’re giving your team the chance to do the job in their own way and ideas. Trust your employees on how they will perform their tasks to achieve the result.
- Be Clear with Expectations and Goals
As you delegate, ensure that you are clear on the objectives. Employees will not know what’s required of them if expectations are unclear. Communicate the responsibilities of each person on the team. By doing this, you’re allowing them to be accountable for their task.
- Check-in regularly.
You do not want to check what your employees are doing every time but definitely, you still want to be involved. Consider a weekly or monthly meeting for updates. You may also ask them how they are doing and if they need help. In this way, they will feel the trust and you are giving them a space to grow.
- Communicate
Communicate to your team and make it clear that you are available anytime that they will be needing you. Keeping an open line of communication will give your team the confidence to speak up. It will also encourage them to participate and share ideas.
- Provide feedback.
People want to know how they’re doing. Consider giving a honest and helpful feedback. Focus on the opportunities and not on the mistakes. If there’s room for improvement, this is the time that you guide and support them.
I hope you learn something on how you can lead a team.