It’s no secret that managing a team is one of the most challenging jobs. You have to juggle multiple personalities and keep everyone on track, but you also have to deal with the constant stress that comes with the responsibility. However, it’s important to remember that managing a team is also one of the most rewarding jobs. When you see your team succeed, it feels like no other.
Management challenges can come in various forms, and more often than not, these challenges are overlooked by new into the role. If you want to succeed in being a manager and climb the social ladder, you need to keep an eye on these overlooked reasons that can hinder your team’s productivity.
Not Knowing the Difference Between a Group and a Team
If your team isn’t functioning the way you want to, there’s a good chance that you’re managing a group and not a team. Unfortunately, many managers new to the role tend not to know the difference between a group and a team. A group is a collection of people who work independently on a task, while a team is a group of people who work together to accomplish a common goal.
If you want your team to be productive, you need to ensure that they’re working together towards a common goal. Otherwise, you’re just managing a group of individuals. Here’s what you need to do to form your group into a team:
- Define the team’s purpose or goal.
- Assign roles to team members.
- Create a schedule for team meetings.
- Hold team members accountable for their actions.
- Encourage teamwork and collaboration.
By doing these things, you can quickly form your group into a cohesive one with the same goal and expectations.
Relationship Between You and Your Team
It’s estimated that 50% of employees that leave their jobs hate their manager. You certainly don’t want this to happen to you. If you’re going to be a successful manager, you need to have a good relationship with your team.
Forming a good relationship with your team requires hard work, and to some extent, it involves a lot of investment. The best way to build a good relationship between you and your team is to get to know them on a personal level.
Schedule a one-on-one with your team members. Talk to them as colleagues and not as subordinates during these sessions. Get to know them better, but always leave a professional boundary between you. Moreover, you should start coaching instead of delegating.
Delegating Instead of Coaching
Good managers coach their team members and never delegate orders. If you don’t know the difference, you might be guilty of this. Coaching is a process where you help your team members develop their skills and knowledge to reach their full potential.
Delegating orders is when you simply give someone a task and tell them what to do without guidance or support. This type of management will only hinder the productivity of your team.
If you want to be a successful manager, start coaching your team members instead of delegating orders. This will help them reach their full potential and make them more productive team members.
Ignoring Employee Ideas
Ignoring employee ideas is also a one-way road for them to hate you. Employee ideas are a valuable source of information, and if you ignore them, you’re just shooting yourself in the foot.
If you want your team to be productive, you need to listen to their ideas. This will make them feel appreciated, but it will also give you some great insights on how to improve the productivity of your team.
If you think an idea isn’t feasible, don’t outright shut it down. Instead, coach your team member on why it isn’t possible and ask for other options.
The Physical Health of Your Teammates
Lastly, many managers tend to overlook the physical health of their team members. Something as simple as a toothache can lead to employee tardiness and productivity, and most likely, you won’t notice it firsthand.
As a manager, it doesn’t hurt to ask about your team members’ health. It also doesn’t hurt to ask finance for an extra budget when it comes to dental health. An all on 4 teeth implants can undoubtedly make a difference in your team’s dental health. This should be one of the essential benefits of your list.
When it comes to productivity, physical health is just as important as mental health. Make sure that your team is physically healthy by providing them with the necessary benefits and by asking about their health. Doing this will ensure that they’re productive members of your team.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why employees may not be productive, and as a manager, it’s your job to identify these reasons and take action. By doing so, you can create a productive team that will help you achieve your goals.
