As a manager, you must motivate your team to achieve their goals.
While this is an important responsibility, it can also be a hindrance.
But without a clear plan of attack, how are you supposed to inspire your team?
There are many different methods of motivation and rewards that are efficient for certain businesses, but there are others that are difficult to implement in a hierarchical organization.
Here are a few techniques for efficiently achieving your goals.
Lead by example
People know that when a boss is held accountable for her team’s performance, the entire team will work harder.
Showing your team that you are trying your best to accomplish goals will build a sense of trust within your organization and help them trust you more.
Show your team you are tired of being bullied
Sometimes, a boss needs to be as productive as possible by shutting down the chatter and solving the problem.
For example, a team leader might notice that someone is constantly complaining, even if the boss is not listening.
When this happens, it is best to make a promise to the team leader that you will not be able to listen to this problem until he or she has finished.
Once the problem has been resolved, you will have a chance to discuss it with the team leader to see how she or he feels.
Don’t allow yourself to be the source of any bullying, either.
For example, you could say, “You know what? Your comments are very distracting and I can’t focus when you say that we don’t work hard.
Please don’t talk to me like that again. I don’t like hearing this.”
Reveal your creative side
You should be willing to tell your team what you’re thinking.
When you reveal your ideas, you may trigger a change in their actions, giving them the confidence to accomplish their own goals.
For example, you may know your team is very good at completing tasks, but they might not have the creative skills to think up new ways to accomplish tasks.
This is why they shouldn’t rely on external sources when they need a solution.
Understand your team
To understand your team members, you must know what they think and feel.
Before they can start to understand you, they need to know you. Do not wait for them to come to you.
You might have specific questions about their work or plans for the future.
Do not push them for an answer, as this may not help. Simply listen to what they say and let them know you’re happy to get to know them more.
Let your team lead the way
Team leaders are generally more productive when their colleagues have input into their decisions.
They should be completely open with their employees, even when it means sharing a negative opinion.
Talk with them about difficult situations and encourage them to vent to others, if necessary.
Avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings.
When you understand their struggles and they understand your problems, you can better connect with them and work together toward goals.
Share your current work experience
People who are close to you or who have worked with you might notice your personality traits and recognize that they match up with the characteristics of a good leader.
With this, you can talk with them about what you are doing and what you’ve been thinking.
Sometimes, you will find they have the same ideas as you do.
If so, you should invite them to contribute to your ideas, in the form of a suggestion or solution.
Be honest with yourself
When you work to improve your leadership skills, you will gain greater insight into yourself.
This is important because you will better be able to identify the traits that make you a good leader.
For example, you will likely be honest with yourself about why you struggle in certain situations.
Once you know this, you will know how to fix those problems.
You can then apply these strategies to all areas of your life. From work to personal relationships, you will gain an advantage by realizing that you have the potential to improve.
Be patient
Leading others requires patience. If you’re still in the early stages of your management career, this could be a challenge.
However, after a few years, you will find that it becomes easier.
Once you have learned these steps, you’ll be ready to manage people and projects at the higher levels.
For example, you could become a manager of several other managers.
You will still have to follow these principles, but you will have to change your approach a little.
Be a mentor to those you lead
You can also be a mentor to your team members. Be available to answer their questions.
Help them get the best out of themselves and their teams.
You can be an example of someone who maintains the values of a good leader.
Even when you’re successful, you can still mentor those around you, ensuring that the rest of your team feels successful, too.
If you have positive mentors as you grow into management, you will build the same bonds as those who come up through the ranks.
These bonds form a strong foundation for your career and even change how you feel about yourself.
You can learn to lead others when you make these improvements. Once you become a better leader, you will never look back.
