As I mentioned in my earlier post, Nine Men Can’t Make a Baby In…, having the right team is essential.

In order to do that, and to lead or even work within a team efficiently, you need to be able to effectively manage your team and teammates. We could write for days on various schools of thought and advice on how to do so correctly, but I’d like to jot down just a few simple thoughts on the subject, which I will probably add to over time.

  • Team Diversity – I don’t mean have a diverse team just for the sake of being diverse, you need your teammates to be qualified, but having a wide range of experience, background, enthusiasm and intellect are important to bring fresh perspectives, and to challenge some assumptions that may be taken for granted.
  • Ability – Certainly consider demonstrated ability of those you bring onto the team, but also consider potential ability and then foster that growth of that individual.
  • Interviews / Growing the Team – Apply structure to the interview process, make strategic decisions about team growth, and ensure that every team member will add value to the team as a whole.
  • Communication – Communication plays a huge role in team management, and it’s not just what you say, but how you say it that matters. You want everyone on the same page – the worst thing you could have is inconstant messaging internal to your team, or even being communicated outside of the team. It’s better to over-communicate than to under-communicate – especially when it’s around what could be perceived as negative or confusing. And above all, be consistent!
  • Morale – Continuously gauge your team’s morale, and adjust accordingly. You don’t want to over or under-reward, but make sure people feel they are providing an important role, and then reward them accordingly. Sometimes it’s the little things that count, and each person is different as to what makes them feel valued.
  • Team Development – Always look for ways to further develop and enable your team members. Set high expectations and evaluate regularly with feedback. Open and unimpeded feedback channels within the team are highly valuable, but balance quality vs. type of feedback.