Suggestions to Help Gain Your Team’s Trust and Work Effectively Together
Leading a new team, especially as a new manager, can be challenging. In addition to managing day-to-day responsibilities, building strong relationships and earning the trust of team members is crucial. These suggestions will help you lead effectively and encourage collaboration.
1. Get to Know Your Team
Take time to understand each team member and their working style. Hold regular team meetings and individual one-to-one sessions to learn what they enjoy, how they like to be managed, and their development aspirations. Keep notes from these informal conversations for future reference, especially during performance reviews.
2. Set and Manage Expectations
From the start, be clear about what you expect from your team and what they can expect from you. This fosters trust and prevents future misunderstandings. Consider conducting a team survey to gauge expectations on working practices, resources, and team culture.
3. Deliver a Clear Team Brief
On your first day with the team, hold a meeting to introduce yourself, share your vision, and outline team objectives. Work with your team to set immediate goals and review progress at subsequent meetings to stay aligned.
4. Create a Team Contract
Collaborate with your team to develop a set of principles and standards for working together, forming a “team contract.” This document should outline how to work supportively and productively. Share it with the team and make it accessible, reminding everyone of agreed-upon standards.
5. Identify Skills and Strengths
Understand each team member’s strengths and skills. This can be done through team-building exercises or self-assessments like the Belbin team test or Gallup’s Strengthsfinder. Encourage team members to utilize and build on their strengths.
6. Leverage Your Team’s Knowledge and Expertise
Engage with each team member to learn about their roles and responsibilities. This helps you understand team processes and empowers members by acknowledging their expertise. Don’t hesitate to seek their input when needed, which will also help you adjust quickly.
7. Communicate Change Clearly
When making changes, especially in established teams, transparency is key. Clearly explain why changes are necessary and their impact on the team. Provide opportunities for team members to ask questions, either in team meetings or one-on-one sessions.
8. Hold a Team-Building Event
Team-building events can strengthen relationships, especially for new or evolving teams. Plan a half-day or full-day event, or consider hiring an external facilitator to design and lead the session, allowing you to participate fully with your team.
9. Build Rapport Outside of Work
Socializing outside the office can help foster stronger connections. Organize after-work activities such as drinks, meals, or team lunches to build rapport in a relaxed environment.
10. Seek Advice and Support
Don’t hesitate to seek advice from your line manager, a colleague, or even a mentor. A coach can also offer guidance in tackling challenges and identifying solutions for leading your team effectively.
Following these tips will help you create a trusting, cohesive, and productive team environment.
