6 Tips for Managing a Group Project
Assuming a leadership position is both an exciting opportunity, and a daunting challenge –– particularly for professionals who have never managed a team at the office. Indeed, taking the step up from team member to manager is a big one, psychologically speaking. And it can be difficult for employees who are used to handling only their own responsibilities to suddenly take on the ultimate success or failure of a group effort. Fortunately, these six tips will help you manage your team effectively:
Create a Timeline
Deadlines may be stress-inducing, but they serve a valuable purpose. Namely, they keep everyone on the same page and operating on the same schedule. Though it can be awkward to set a hard deadline for a coworker, it’s actually preferable to the alternative. In general, professionals would rather receive detailed direction as opposed to none whatsoever.
Delegate
Let’s say that your company is planning on hosting a conference, and you and your team are in charge of organizing it. One of the best ways to tackle this big assignment is to break it down into smaller tasks and give your staff members clear responsibilities. For instance, one person could be in charge of hiring security. Another for contacting the caterers. And still another for ordering event barricades for outdoor areas. Dividing the work up evenly will ensure that no one feels overwhelmed or, alternatively, bored and unengaged.
Play to Strengths
Of course, dividing a workload evenly isn’t just about picking arbitrary tasks and assigning them at random. Rather, the best leaders find ways to play to their team’s strengths. If, for example, you have a team member who is very outgoing and who enjoys meeting new people, then it’s a good idea to give them a customer-facing position. This is just one obvious instance, but it’s nevertheless crucial to put your team members in the best possible position to succeed. Doing anything less is akin to preparing for failure.
Hope for the Best . . .
. . . But be prepared for the worst. While it’s okay to hope that neither you nor your team ever experience significant impediments to progress, it’s not a good idea to assume that everything will be fine. As such, managers should have contingency plans ready to go should unexpected problems arise.
Don’t Micromanage
Part of being a good manager is knowing when to intercede on behalf of your team. Offering a helping hand at just the right time can help things run smoothly and keep morale high. More often, though, the most capable managers resist the urge to micromanage their team members. Instead of constantly checking in on your team’s progress, focus on areas that you can control and influence in a positive way. Trusting your team enough to give them space may sound simple, but it’s a difficult thing to learn.
Stay Positive
Have you ever worked for a boss who flew off the handle all the time? Who was quick to anger and who let their emotions get the best of them? This sort of behavior from a manager can lead to a toxic work environment. Given that fact, business leaders need to be able to separate their emotions from their decision-making process and present a calm, steady presence to their team. If you project positivity in difficult times, your team will pick up on that and emulate your behavior. Remember, they’ll follow your lead –– so be sure to set a good example!
