You can learn to lead a team effectively
Learning how to lead a team effectively is arguably one of the most important skills you will develop as a leader. After all, the people that you choose to work with can make or break a project. It is crucial, therefore, that you select team members who share the same values as you and understand the direction you are taking the company.
Not only does this ease communication and strengthen productivity, but having a cohesive team can keep you sane during crises, which are part-and-parcel of any legitimate company.
Think of your business as a car, with each team member as a piece of different equipment. Despite your various roles, all of you work seamlessly together to get to where you want to go.
I’ve made a list of certain behaviors that should improve your hiring strategy. By no means definitive, I think that these serve as great starting points when building a team.
Learning to lead a team more effectively involves many of these skills:
- Integrity – If you’ve been reading me for some time, you would know how often I emphasize the importance of integrity. Even if I do sound like a broken record sometimes, I cannot overexplain why integrity is key to everything. Always hire people who keep their promises and do what they say they’ll do.
- Growth mindset – For a lot of people, their “job” is just something they do every day for money. While this is understandable given the pandemic, try finding growth-minded members instead. Do they have a plan for the future? Are they willing and open to learn and improve themselves?
- Optimism – Look for people who always see the glass as “half-full”. I know this sounds a little cheesy Parcheesi, but having toxic people in your team will reduce productivity and make other members feel down too. Remember: Each member of your team affects the other, so don’t invite negative people to your company.
- Culture Fit – This requires a certain amount of self-awareness. You need to know exactly what your own values are before looking for other people who share the same. Does your company value brilliance? Ask the candidate questions that show their skill and aptitude. What about empathy? Ask them to give an example of a time they demonstrated this attribute.
- Character – The greatest test of one’s character is how they act during times of stress. This might be difficult to see during an interview process, but is something you should take note of after an employee is hired.
Finding great people to be part of your team can determine the fate of your company. I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you again.
You might also enjoy my Wednesday Morning Memo on Leadership as the most important skill.
Keep on learning.
Henry