It’s not about you
What do I need to do today to help my team improve?
You have just been promoted to manager, your first time in the role. Suddenly after only being concerned with your performance… you must now create an environment in which a team can be successful. It requires a very different mindset. A mindset where you must focus first on others…not yourself. A coaching and mentoring mindset.
The fastest way to make the pivot to coach and mentor is to build a high level of awareness: Awareness of each person individually and the team collectively.
1. Know each person individually.
As simple as it sounds just start by talking with your team individually. Be genuine in your intention to understand and work with each person. Here are some great questions to start with:
• What motivates & de-motivates you?
• How do you like to be managed (or coached)?
• How often do you get to do what you do best?
• What is your greatest struggle or weakness?
• If you were in charge – what would you do differently?
• What are your expectations of me, your Manager?
Answers to these questions will give you great insights into what makes each person tick, and how to help them become even better at what they do.
2. Know your team collectively.
To manage your team well you also need to understand how they behave collectively. This is sometimes more difficult, it takes time and requires constant awareness of how the team works together and responds in differing circumstances.
Here is what to look for:
• Who leads and who follows?
• Who is disruptive and who brings the team together?
• What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses?
• In what circumstances do the team perform well or not?
• Who works well together and who doesn’t
• What happens when the team is under pressure?
The more you observe the team, the better you will understand them and with greater understanding, you will make better decisions.
Side Note – if you want to accelerate that understanding, have your team tackle 2 questions:
• What is working well & what isn’t?
• What should we do about it?
How the team talk, contribute, and interact in this meeting will be a small but accurate reflection of how they also interact from day to day.
Summary
In the final analysis, the focus will NOT be on the work you have done individually. It will be on what your TEAM have achieved. The ultimate question will be…“Has this team improved under your watch?”
