Welcome to part three of our managerial essentials series. In this week’s edition, we talk about…
Team Collaboration
Almost all business units could benefit from more effective team collaboration.
When team communication is strong enough to allow for decentralization of project workflow and task delegation, your team can accomplish goals with maximum efficiency, as each team member learns to manage him or herself while working toward the high-level goals of each project.
Set Clear Expectations
The first step in this process is ensuring that clear expectations are set for both the team and individuals, and that open lines of communication are maintained in the occasion that they are needed. If a team member has a question about something that was delegated to him or her, it is important that he or she feel comfortable coming forward to ask for clarification.
Lead by Example
As a leader, it is your job not only to define the expectations for collaboration within your team, but also to demonstrate those principles on a daily basis. Your commitment to viewing yourself as part of a collaborative effort, rather than a boss who is separate from the rest, will set the tone for your employees and encourage them to become more invested in the process. One key aspect of successful collaboration is understanding that the team as a whole is responsible for both successes and failures.
Be Transparent
Furthermore, some managers hoard information and deliver it to their team only when they see fit. Effective collaboration, on the other hand, begins with openly sharing knowledge within the group so that team members can access necessary information as they need. As a manager, your time and resources should also be at the disposal of your employees; be prepared to offer them whenever the situation warrants it. Remember, as a manager it is your responsibility to ensure that your team collaboration is running smoothly and effectively.
Use a Tool
With so many tasks and responsibilities falling on the shoulders of you and your team, effective collaboration isn’t always easy. However, by employing a software tool like Priority Matrix, your burden will become a lot lighter. Priority Matrix allows you to create tasks with detailed notes and due dates, and easily divide your workload by delegating to team members at the click of a button. Furthermore, the software provides detailed overviews, such as a Master List of tasks across all projects, and both daily and weekly reports, so you always know where your team is at.