About to manage a new team? Four steps you should take as soon as possible

Every team is different. Each one consists of various members, works on something slightly different or, for example, may use different means of communication. Especially teams that have been working together for some time (as opposed to ones being set up as new) are accustomed to many specific processes. If you are taking over such a team as their manager, you should take the following four steps as soon as possible.

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Understanding (and setting up) team priorities

First of all, you should clarify priorities, both your own and the most important priorities and values of the company as a whole. Acquaint individual team members with these priorities and, instead of micromanagement, ensure they understand their own role and that of the team in the wider context of the priorities of the whole company.

Clarification of team members' roles

Clearly define the scope of operations to both yourself and the people around you. Acquaint yourself in detail with your rights and obligations, and clearly delineate where your responsibilities begin and end. You also need to define the obligations and roles of individual employees so as to pre-empt arguments about competency and ensure a smoother workflow within your team.

Clarifying communication processes and setting up new ones

According to a LinkedIn Pulse article, one key item is correctly setting up the communication system within the team. Take the time to set up both internal communication with the team and external communication with management or other sections of the company.

System of delegation of work

Set up a system of effective delegation of work within the team. Newly appointed leaders often make the mistake of taking on too much work themselves in the belief that only they are able to do the job 100% and, moreover, have a clear idea about how the given tasks should be done. You must learn to trust your employees and delegate tasks so that the work of the whole team is effective and evenly distributed.

 

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Article source LinkedIn Pulse - LinkedIn blogging platform
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