Being a boss babe leader and managing others is not easy. I remember when I was first starting off as a manager, and I had to make my first hires.
I overthought everything.
I did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but at the same time, I wanted to get the most out of the people I hired.
Here are three basic statements I kept in mind when reflecting on my ability to engage and mobilize anyone working with me.
They are useful to think about whether you manage one intern or twenty individuals.
1. Understand the goals and aspirations of each member of your team.
I used to think that I had to approach each member of my team the same. I would provide them the same information and respond to them in similar ways, expecting the same output from each. It did not get me very far.
Each person needs to be treated as an individual. Understanding how each member of your team ticks will help you get the most out of them.
If you know how to acknowledge and recognize each member, you will know how best to motivate and communicate with them.
With just a bit of work and understanding, you can get a lot more out of a team member, because you will be speaking their language. No two people are motivated the same way, so you cannot always expect the same result from different individuals.
If you are an employee…
- Tell your manager what motivates you.
- Tell them what you want to get out of your experience working with them and how you prefer to be approached.
- If you are confused about your role or objectives, ask or show them what you think they should be.
They might not always listen, but you can at least demonstrate how self-aware you are. Some managers will appreciate it.
Those who don’t probably shouldn’t be managers.
2. Each member of your team knows what you expect, and where they are in terms of performance
I was notorious and continued to have issues with communicating what I want from others. Even when we think we have done an excellent job, we usually have not.
Making sure each member of your team understands their place (even if it changes monthly) is key to making sure you are getting the most out of them.
They should be getting feedback from you regularly, and you should periodically inquire about making sure they are on the right track.
If they are not, its either you haven’t done an excellent job being explicit or the role does not suit them.
If you are an employee and your company has a formal performance review process, nothing your manager says during the performance review process should come as a surprise.
- Ask for regular feedback and make sure you get clarity if you are confused.
- Send your manager an email with what you discussed, even if its feedback, to make sure you both are on the same page.
3. You actively act on advice and feedback on how you come across to your team, and how you can be a more motivating leader
No one is perfect but spending a few hours a week on seeking and receiving feedback can make you a more effective leader.
You can ask for input in various ways: informally at group meetings or formally through surveys. Take some time to read about different approaches to leadership and reflect on who you admire as a manager.
Write down the traits and feedback you want to embody and try them out. Want to check how you are doing? Continue to ask for feedback over time.
If you are an employee…
- Ask your manager if you can give them constructive feedback.
- Think about what you can learn from your manager and make the best of the situation.
- If there is something that doesn’t sit well with you, keep it in mind for when you have a chance to manage others.
How can you use these statements to make a change or move forward?
With each element, try to rate yourself. I would suggest on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 meaning disagree strongly and 10, strongly agree.
Ask your teammates for feedback to help you decide where you stand.
For the statements you rate less than 5, you might want to spend some time thinking through how to bridge the gap. You can start by asking yourself these questions:
- Where do you want to be?
- What is the first thing you can do to make progress in that particular element?
That one small step you take can help you get closer to the leader you want to be and get even more out of your team.
This month of July, we’re telling stories about boss ladies breaking boundaries, and how you also can hit your #BossLadyGoals. Got a boss lady story to share with us? Click here.