By Hannah Thomas
It is one thing to get good at our area of expertise, taking the reins and attempting to lead is a whole other ballgame. The challenges that go along with being the person to turn to when anything goes awry can be daunting, to say the least. You essentially become the beacon of hope and the sense of reason in a usually very diverse group of talented people and this can and will test your ability to work under pressure and help others do the same. The moment you stepped up it stopped being about you and started being about your team.
Learn to trust
This can be the most difficult thing to do, especially when new to our position but it is absolutely crucial for the team to function normally. By trusting the people we work with and giving them assignments that they are capable of doing and let them get on with it. Micromanaging will put tremendous strain on yourself as you have more than one person to watch over. Another problem with this is the fact that all the micromanaging can produce the opposite effect and generate hostility from team members who might dislike someone constantly watching over their shoulder.
Tone it down
When trying to convey ideas, especially in a creative environment, finding the right words to do so can be a tremendous task. However solid our idea for a project or a direction might be, we need to understand that not everyone lives inside our own head. Even though something might seem completely elementary to us, it is necessary to consider the fact that our teammates might not be on the same page. Tone it down, simplify explanations to the absolute core concepts – and then work up as the foundation has been laid.
Avoid arrogance
All this extra power and stress can get to one’s head, which makes falling into the trap of arrogance all too easy. Yes, we managed to climb up to a position where we are calling the shots, this does not, however, make us infallible. Everyone makes mistakes, and we’re no different, admitting that will emit an air of confidence instead and help our teammates trust us by showing them that we’re okay with owning up to our own faults. Arrogance is generally a bad quality to have and can have a serious impact on team dynamic if we are perceived to be unreachable or too full of it to provide help when it’s needed.
Set high standards
Despite possible tensions that might rise, it is extremely important to signify the importance of quality work and demand it from anyone involved in the project. This does not mean that everyone has to put in their best work ever every time, but a certain standard must be met. Higher standards will keep everyone on their toes and ensure that laziness won’t set in. Another positive aspect of such an approach is the fact that it will root out anyone unwilling or unqualified to step up, making room for improvements and new people.
Mediate disputes
Problem solving is actually in the job description, so any disputes within the office will eventually come knocking on your door. Whether it be two colleagues not seeing eye to eye or there are some issues concerning company policies or our own behavior – it’s something we’ll have to deal with. If in a bind and unable to come up with a solution, consider seeking help from experts. Several groups like mediation specialists Sydney specialize in mediating disputes in and out of the office and can provide advice for the best course of action.
Keep an ear to the ground
With all of these in check, it is still important to keep an ear to the ground. Like all things nowadays, the office is an ever-changing entity, with a plethora of factors that can cause the air to shift and change – we need to stay alert. Leading a team is an ongoing effort and will never truly stop unless we relinquish the position. We are there to provide support and guidance to all members under our wing, to do this we need to stay grounded and keep an open mind – helping both our team members and ourselves reach new heights together.