Managing a large team can feel overwhelming and require you to spend more time coordinating than leading. Here's how to manage large teams effectively and create an environment where initiative and responsibility thrive.
1. Authorization
One of the biggest challenges when managing a large team is keeping up with the number of decisions and trade-offs needed. Why do you need to overexert yourself or sometimes become a bottleneck for the company when you can give team members decision-making autonomy? Leaders should only make essential decisions and empower employees for the remaining tasks. In 1985, two American psychologists, Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, concluded that one’s autonomous motivation for personal and psychological growth is the foundational catalyst for human success and fulfilment. This implies that we entrust employees with greater autonomy as the encouragement of self-determination, and we can expect greater employee satisfaction, fulfilment, and engagement at work. By stepping back, the leader focuses more resources on comprehensive strategic decisions but gives employees space to grow.
2. Take advantage of the group power
While individual autonomy is essential, it needs to be complemented by a strong team culture where members hold each other accountable and learn from each other. To foster collaboration, form teams with specific goals and give them clarity and freedom to accomplish them. For example, if you manage a marketing team, implement a peer-review system where members respond to each other's work. This setup encourages collective responsibility and learning and ensures that the group functions effectively even when you're not present.
3. Promote personal connection and support
Giving individual attention to each team member is challenging, but this behaviour is essential. If you're too distant, employees may feel undervalued. So, be present and participate in face-to-face interactions, celebrate their wins, and show that you appreciate their contributions. Seek out development opportunities for ambitious team members to help them grow and free up some of your time. This helps personalise support and builds a stronger and more dedicated team.
By implementing these moves, you can manage large teams more effectively, creating a supportive and productive work environment where individual and collective goals are met.
4. Balance Management
You must manage your superiors by providing your boss with the correct details to ensure your team's efforts are recognised. At the same time, you must coach your employees and give feedback on their performance. This ensures that your boss and employees get the support and information they need to succeed.
The Goldilocks approach can be helpful: if the issues that consume your day and effort are insignificant, you are being too tactical and likely to over-interfere; if they are too large, you will be disconnected from frontline operations. Find a balance to stay on top of what's happening while making time for long-term strategic priorities and mentoring your team. Pay attention to your tone and personality when interacting with your team, significantly impacting their morale and performance.
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