Five Tips To Lead Groups And Teams
Leading groups and teams is not easy. No matter how much leadership skills you have, anyone can make mistakes by overlooking some essential elements. In this article we therefore give you five tips for leading groups and teams.
Contrary to what you might think, a person who does not have many leadership skills can also become a leader. All he has to do is take into account the information we share below. Without a leader, it is difficult for a group to achieve a goal.
1. Choose effective communication when you have to lead groups and teams
To communicate effectively, you must first observe the group you lead, learn to control your emotions, and learn to listen well. Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to provide clear instructions.
Try not to give hints or be ambiguous. A working group needs clear and transparent guidelines. Only then can everyone know what to do. Otherwise you will not achieve good results.
When you communicate, you should focus not only on what you say with words, but also on your gestures. Remember that 70% of our communication is non-verbal while only 30% is verbal.
2. Don’t appeal to your authority
Appealing to authority is something we usually see in our homes from an early age. We see it through statements like ‘Because I’m your father’ or ‘Because I say so’. This is a mistake you can’t make when it comes to leading groups and teams.
If a team leader appeals to his authority, the group will not see him as a leader. This title has to be earned, because it is more than just a title. Appealing to your authority will diminish your credibility and, as a result, will affect the group as well as its goals and objectives.
3. Set periodic goals and objectives
If a group has no goals, their work will stagnate. This situation can be harmful. It leads to loss of motivation, due to lack of direction. Right now it is difficult for people to leave their comfort zone.
If a group or team does not progress, you will not be successful as a leader. It is therefore important to set weekly or monthly challenges or goals. Everything will depend on what you want to achieve.
4. To lead groups and teams it is essential to resolve conflicts
To effectively lead groups and teams, you need to resolve the conflicts that arise. It is important not to see them as something negative, but as opportunities to learn new things and do things differently.
It is important to remember that groups and teams are made up of different people. This is enriching, as long as conflicts are managed well. Conflict resolution will strengthen the group and make it possible to achieve the stated goals.
If you don’t resolve or manage conflicts well, they will crop up at the most unexpected moment, ruining everything you’ve accomplished so far.
5. Change roles and responsibilities
To avoid the comfort zone, it is important that all group members do not always do the same. Each person has unique skills that they can bring to the group. However, it is always good to explore other trails as well.
If every group member always performs the same task, it is ultimately very difficult for them to stay motivated. Routines usually get boring. It is therefore good to change the roles and responsibilities of the group members from time to time.
As you have seen, it is not always easy to lead groups and teams. However, with the right amount of effort and enthusiasm, the above tips can help you achieve your desired goals together with your team. It would be best to analyze your situation monthly to make the necessary changes.
Are you unable to achieve the goals you have set for your team? Are some team members unmotivated? Is there an unresolved conflict? Is there a communication disorder? By answering these and other questions, you can improve your leadership style.
