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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Better Business

June 28, 2023 Managing Remote Teams: 7 Practices for Leaders

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

The work landscape has permanently changed, and it’s imperative for leaders to recognize that. Many people have found working from home to be convenient, time-saving, and less stressful than going into an office—even if this remote work occurs a couple days each week. What’s more, remote teams can provide a lot of benefits to an organization, from cost savings to increased productivity.

The problem, however, is in managing a remote team, especially for leaders who are used to managing teams in a traditional office environment. How do you keep your team’s attention? How should you conduct meetings and other communications? How can you keep everyone cohesive and happy?

Here are seven tips and best practices for leaders who manage teams that work remotely (either occasionally of full-time):

1. Set clear expectations

Setting clear expectations is crucial when managing a remote team. This includes expectations around communication, deadlines, and availability. Make sure to communicate the expectations clearly and consistently, so that everyone is on the same page. I’m a big advocate of clarity, and this becomes even more crucial when managing remotely.

2. Use the right tools

Using the right tools can help remote teams stay connected and productive. Some popular tools include video conferencing software, project management software, and instant messaging tools. Make sure to choose tools that are easy to use and accessible to everyone on the team.

3. Establish regular check-ins

Regular check-ins can help keep remote teams on track and ensure that everyone is on the same page. These check-ins can take the form of video calls, phone calls, or emails. Make sure to establish a regular schedule so everyone knows when to expect the check-ins. NOTE: Be careful not to over schedule, though! If a meeting really isn’t needed, don’t force it (or have a quicker than expected check-in).

4. Encourage collaboration

Collaboration is important for remote teams, just as it is for traditional teams. Encourage collaboration by creating opportunities for team members to work together, such as through shared projects or brainstorming sessions. Use tools that enable real-time collaboration, such as Google Docs or Slack.

5. Foster a positive team culture

Fostering a positive team culture is important for any team, but it can be especially challenging for remote teams. Make an effort to create a positive team culture by recognizing team members’ achievements, celebrating milestones, and promoting a supportive work environment.

6. Provide feedback and recognition

Providing feedback and recognition is important for remote teams, just as it is for traditional teams. Make sure to provide regular feedback and recognition to remote team members, even if it is just a quick email or message. This can help remote team members feel valued and connected to the team. Don’t underestimate the power of a thank you!

7. Establish healthy boundaries

Because our work and personal lives are overlapping more than ever, it is easy to overstep boundaries by emailing or texting after normal working hours. Your team should never be expected to respond to queries outside of the normal payday. To encourage healthy boundaries, don’t contact employees or send emails after hours (many email services allow you to schedule emails to send at a later time—opt to schedule emails during regular work hours). And if someone has scheduled a personal day, don’t interfere! It’s important to establish a firm barrier between our work and personal lives.

Managing remote teams can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. By following some simple tips and best practices, leaders can help their remote teams stay connected, productive, and engaged. Remote work is the future, and leaders need to adapt. You can still be just as effective, engaging, and communicative with a remote team, but you may need to adjust your approach. This could take extra work and strategy at first, but your efforts will be well worth it.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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June 21, 2023 6 Tips to Boost Your Delegation Skills as a Leader

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

If you’re like many leaders, you earned your position through hard work, resilience, and effectiveness. You know you have what it takes to get things done and forge ahead. These are great qualities, BUT they may make you reluctant to trust others with jobs that you could just do yourself. Here’s the reality: you cannot, and should not, do everything yourself. Doing so will make your leadership less effective, will convey that you do not trust your team, and will obligate you to continue working on detailed tasks when you should be looking at the bigger picture. So, delegate!

To become a more effective delegator, try these 6 tips:

1. Extend Trust

It can be challenging to let go and trust others to do a job as well as you could. However, it’s essential to extend trust to your team members. You hired them for their expertise, so let them use their skills to shine. When you trust your team, you’re not only empowering them, but you’re also freeing up your time to focus on tasks that require your attention and specialized skills.

2. Clearly Communicate Expectations

One of the primary reasons delegation fails is due to unclear or unrealistic expectations. It’s crucial to communicate what you want done, how you want it done, and by when. Be sure to provide context and instructions that detail the scope of work to minimize confusion. To learn more about clarity in communication, check out my video on the subject.

3. Provide Resources

To ensure your team can deliver on your expectations, provide them with the essential resources needed to complete the job. These could include financial support, equipment, tools, or software. Providing these resources ensures your team can effectively do their job and prevents them from feeling like they’ve been set up for failure. Remember: you can also be a resource! Be sure to emphasize to your team that they can approach you with any question, roadblock, or concern.

4. Allow for Different Approaches to a Problem

People have different styles and, therefore, different approaches to solving problems. As a leader, it’s essential to recognize and value these differences. Encourage your team to tackle problems in their own way, and you may find that they come up with innovative solutions you hadn’t even thought of. When I was a leader at 3M, I periodically let my team brainstorm solutions without me, and if they missed the mark, I gave them a little guidance and had them try again. I was always amazed at the creativity and innovation that bubbled up during those sessions!

5. Don’t Micromanage

Related to allowing for difference approaches, it’s also essential to not micromanage your team. Micromanaging sends the message that you don’t trust others to do the work. It’s also a waste of time and energy. Once you’ve given clear instructions, trust your team to execute the job in their way. Be available to offer guidance or answers to questions but avoid constantly checking in to see how things are progressing.

6. Provide Feedback

It’s easy to forget that delegating is a two-way street. Just as you expect your team to deliver on their expectations, they expect feedback on their performance. Provide constructive feedback that acknowledges their achievements and points out areas that could be improved upon. This will empower them to grow and take on more significant responsibilities in the future.

Delegation may seem challenging at first, but by implementing these six tips, you can become a better delegator, free up your time, and empower your team members. Remember, delegation is a leadership skill that you can develop and perfect over time. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and responsibilities, as this will not only help you achieve your goals but also provide growth opportunities for your team members. So, start delegating today and see the positive impact it has on your team’s productivity and success!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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June 6, 2023 6 Benefits of a Virtual, On-Demand Leadership Course

Leadership is one of those things organizations can take for granted. They expect their new managers to step into their role equipped with leadership acumen. New managers, on the other hand, are often hesitant to admit their shortcomings, since they feel pressured to “prove themselves” in their new position. Asking too many basic questions might show incompetence or weakness, and that isn’t the impression they want to leave on their team.

The result of the disconnect between organizations and their leaders is that leadership skills are often not taught, but learned on the fly. That can work to a certain extent, but some lessons are hard-learned, and some skills are never learned at all.

Don’t leave it up to chance. Training managers (whether they’re new or not) in crucial leadership skills is not only a benefit to the manager, but to the organization as a whole. With the right training, managers can streamline communication, increase their effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and more.

But I know what you’re thinking: “Training can be expensive and time consuming. My organization is running on a lean budget, and we can’t afford to send our managers to a week of training.”

To mitigate costs and gain flexibility, consider exploring virtual learning…

What is Virtual Learning?

Virtual learning–sometimes referred to as online learning or e-learning–is an approach to education that allows students to participate in courses from anywhere, provided they have a computer and an internet connection. It enables people to access education from the comfort of their own home or office, removing the need to travel to a physical location.

Many virtual courses, such as my online leadership course, are learn-at-your-own pace, meaning the student can log in whenever they have a few free minutes.

The Benefits of a Virtual, On-Demand Leadership Course

Virtual learning has quickly become a preferred method of education for busy professionals. Below are some of the benefits of taking a virtual, on-demand leadership course:

It Provides Tailored Learning

Virtual learning courses provide a variety of learning mediums, from videos to reflection exercises to writing activities. This type of learning appeals to a wide range of people, as it allows individuals to pick the format that resonates best with them.

It’s Low Cost

Virtual learning courses are often much more affordable than traditional courses. This is because they don’t have the overhead costs associated with physical classrooms and resources, such as textbooks. Even though the courses are not directly taught by an instructor, you usually can access the course creator to ask any specific questions.

It’s Flexible

One of the most significant benefits of virtual learning is flexibility. Students can go at their own pace, allowing them to fit education into their busy schedules. For individuals who have full-time jobs, families, or other commitments, this can be a game-changer.

It Keeps Skills Up To Date

Even a seasoned leader’s skills can go stale if they do not regularly use them. If they, for example, do not regularly engage in difficult conversations, they may not know the best way to approach them. By taking online leadership courses, these skills can be refreshed and enhanced.

It’s Interactive

Virtual learning courses are designed to be interactive. Many online courses include opportunities for activities, discussions, deep reflection, immersive projects, and other activities that encourage interaction.

It’s Fun!

Virtual learning courses can be fun! Unlike traditional courses, virtual courses often leverage multimedia to make learning more engaging and enjoyable. Through a mix of videos, games, and interactive activities, virtual courses can make leadership education more exciting and stimulating.

Virtual learning is an excellent way for busy professionals to develop their leadership skills. By taking a virtual, on-demand course, individuals can work at their own pace, tailor their learning to their preferences, and keep their skillsets up-to-date. So why not give virtual learning a try? It could be the game-changer you need to take your leadership skills to the next level.

For more information on my online course, The 10-Minute Leadership Challenge, click here!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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